Development of Fortescue Metals Group’s (FMG) 60mtpa (Million Tons Per Annum)

Solomon Iron Ore Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara was completed in just over two years – including the construction of two new mines, primary and secondary crushers, two ore processing facilities, PROFINET & PROFIBUS control networks, 15km of overland conveyors, rail, and other infrastructure.

In consultation with project system integrators I&E Systems, the project was split into seven Design & Construct (D&C) packages, appointing a different contractor for each stand-alone package. I&E Systems defined strict operational guidelines to each contractor for the D&C packages, and undertook all the designing, engineering, integrating and implementation of the electrical and control systems, including making the seven D&C packages work together. Each standalone D&C package has its own set of servers and can easily communicate with the others via interface blocks and a control system design based on Fortescue’s preferred vendor GE and their new platform Proficy Process Systems (PPS).