Vanguard constructed a refrigeration plant and
installed and commissioned three
ice making machines

Vanguard has been awarded a contract by Anglo Ashanti to install and commission three new ice making machines for use on a Carletonville gold mine. The machines, each capable of producing 80 tons of ice per hour, will pump ice down the mine shaft to assist with air conditioning.

Andrew Nordengen, Vanguard Director, says the project involves the erection of a 160 ton steel structure, as well as the transportation, mechanical and electrical installation of 340 tons of plant and equipment, including the three machines.

“The machines and associated equipment have been shipped from the manufacturer in Israel. We arranged the shipping to South Africa, and were responsible for clearing in Durban Harbour, and transportation to site.”

The ice making machines each weigh 48 tons, and measure 5,3 metres in diameter and 9 metres in height. The project also includes the installation of 3,5 kilometres of plastic piping, including plastic pipe welding on HDPE and polypropylene, as well as cold commissioning of the machines.

The project is currently underway with rigging, pipe fitting, plastic pipe fitting, mechanical, electrical and management teams on-site. Completion is expected by the end of March 2009.