BMA Water Pipeline Network
SunWater operates and manages for BMA 600km of pipeline, 15 pump stations, 16 unit bore field and ancillary plant and equipment. The BMA network supplies approximately 25,000 ML of water annually to mines, towns and rural consumers.
Asset
Pipeline network
Project Duration
Operations - 2002 to current
Client
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance
Location
The pipeline network stretches from Eungella Dam in the north to South Blackwater Mine in the south.
Project Overview
The BMA Water Pipeline Network supplies water to coal mines, surrounding townships as well as stock and domestic offtakes drawn from the Network. The water pipeline systems that form the Network include:
- Eungella System
- Bingegang System
- Braeside System
- Bedford West System
- Selma System
- Bedford East System
Solution
With many of SunWater’s own pipeline systems located in the Bowen Basin in close proximity to the BMA Network, it offered significant strengths in cost reductions and local knowledge.
The efficiencies gained through the co-operation between SunWater and the Alliance include:
- undertaking activities which are conducted on each of the pipeline systems being jointly shared
- contractors who undertake corrective maintenance activities are efficiently utilised and full-time staff, and
- plant and equipment are available on a continual basis.
The six systems that form the BMA Network have varying degrees of interconnectivity which allows for supply flexibility.
Eungella
The Eungella system extends from the Eungella Dam via Goonyella Mine and Moranbah township up to the junction with the Bingegang pipeline adjacent to the Peak Downs mine. Throughout the length of the pipeline from Eungella to Peak Downs, rural offtakes have been installed for delivery of water to the rural consumers.
Braeside System
The Braeside system extends from the sixteen (16) production bore pumps at the Braeside borefield to the discharge point at Riverside mine. Included in the Braeside system are the pipelines that feed the South Walker Creek and Poitrel mine.
Bingegang System
The Bingegang system extends from the Bingegang Weir on the Mackenzie River to Peak Downs mine. This system includes all the storage facilities and pump stations associated with the storage and transportation of water through this pipeline.
Selma System
The Selma system extends from the Selma weir through to Gregory Mine. From the pump station, the main pipeline is approximately 64km long and is buried along its entire length. Along its length a number of stock and domestic off-takes are serviced along with two (2) major take-offs at Crinum Mine and Gordonstone (Kestrel) Mine.
Bedford East System
Water is drawn from the Bedford Weir in the Mackenzie River at the Submersible Pump Station and delivered to the Blackwater South mine approx 25km south of Blackwater. Along this length of the pipeline are a number of rural and domestic offtakes.
Bedford West System
Water is drawn from the Bedford Weir via a submersible pump station to the Blackwater Mine.
Features
Key project infrastructure includes:
- Six water pipeline systems combine to form the BMA Water Pipeline Network
- Capacity of 25,000 ML/annum
- 600km of pipelines
- 15 pump stations
- 16 unit bore field
- Pipeline diameter ranges from 225-600mm
Our Role
Operation and Maintenance