Clermont Coal Hopper

In 2012 Rio Tinto Coal required the demolition and removal of one of their coal hoppers at Clermont in Central Qld. As with most plant and equipment in the mining industry this hopper was of mega size being over 7 storeys in height. As safety was paramount, the safest and most economical way to bring down this structure was by the use of explosives, so Rio Tinto engaged demolition explosive experts, Southern Cross Demolition. Minimal disruption was caused to the daily operations of the mine as Southern Cross and Rio Tinto teamed up so that Southern Cross’s implosion could be initiated straight off Rio Tinto’s main production shot. This meant that that only one blast and only one exclusion had to be performed.