PRL Australia operates a phosphate mine near Ardmore in regional Queensland, supplying product into critical agricultural supply chains. To keep output reliable through Queensland’s intense wet season, they required a covered Phosphate Shelter that would protect processed material from rain while supporting day-to-day loading and handling.
The Challenge
Uncovered stockpiles were regularly exposed to heavy rainfall. Once saturated, phosphate could not be processed, leading to:
- Weather related downtime and lost production
- Product degradation and rework
- Inefficient use of people and equipment on site
PRL Australia required a bulk storage shelter that could be designed, supplied, freighted, installed, and commissioned within a compressed five-week window over December, a period with limited freight and contractor availability. The remote Queensland location added further logistical complexity.
The DomeShelter™ Solution
DomeShelter Australia supplied a Container Mounted DomeShelter™ Structure (CMDS) to function as a high-capacity phosphate storage Shelter, providing covered bulk storage and clear internal clearance for loaders and handling equipment.
Shelter Specifications
- Structure: 30m wide × 77.86m long Container Mounted DomeShelter™ Structure
- Purpose: Covered, fit-for-purpose shelter for storage of processed phosphate in bulk
- Location: Remote mine site in regional Queensland
Key Design Features
- Container layout: Engineered openings between containers to aid ventilation and provide access points.
- Rainwater management: High-capacity DomeShelter™ Gutter system installed to control runoff and help protect product and work areas during rain events.
- Endwall configuration: Container supported partial endwall providing weather protection at one end of the Shelter while maintaining equipment access
Delivery & Installation
- Delivered as a complete, pre-engineered Shelter kit for rapid onsite installation
- Freight and installation coordinated to a remote Queensland site within the required five-week timeline
- Efficient Installation to limit disruption to ongoing mining operations
Outcomes
With the DomeShelter™ Structure in place, PRL Australia can now maintain processing and production continuity throughout the wet season.
Key outcomes include:
- Improved production continuity: Processing can continue under cover during all weather conditions, reducing weather related stoppages.
- Reduced operational interruptions: Less downtime associated with compromised stockpiles and reprocessing.
- Enhanced product protection: Covered, controlled storage helps maintain phosphate quality and in turn, profits.
- Predictable planning: More reliable throughput supports planning confidence and revenue stability.
This project shows how well-designed shelters, particularly high-capacity bulk storage shelter solutions can increase profitability for remote mining operations.
Planning Infrastructure for a Demanding Project Environment?
Projects operating in similarly demanding environments frequently face comparable infrastructure challenges.
Whether you need bulk storage, equipment protection, maintenance facilities or other critical site infrastructure, the DomeShelter Australia team can design and engineer a fit‑for‑purpose DomeShelter™ Structure to suit your site and conditions.
Speak with our team about your project infrastructure requirements.
