04/04/2021
It’s been far too long between posts.
The last two years have been busy (despite COVID-19) undertaking FEL (Front End Loading) studies for major clients for surface mine infrastructure including 11kV services boreholes with single point suspension cable procurement and install, tube bundle gas sampling borehole, tube bundle and gas chromatograph sampling systems, electrical communications systems including underground phone system duplication, 66kV / 11kV powerlines, substation relocations, vegetation clearing, road & pad construction, erosion and sediment control reviews, ventilation shaft and main fan relocations. Undertaking this work has included managing technical investigations and studies such as geological boreholes, geophysical logging and interpretation, flora and fauna studies, noise testing and modelling, heritage surveys, power studies, earthing and lightning studies, soil dispersion testing, arranging civil designs that consider rainfall event scenarios and similar work to generate Scopes of Work, Technical Specifications then through to Tendering, evaluation, contract negotiations and contract award. The job has also entailed taking on day to day management of an underground contractor installing 1,000m3 of concrete for mucking out and storage areas of raise bore shaft material. We have also completed an in depth investigation into main fan relocation, configuration, upgrade, repair and installation to provide ongoing mine ventilation including review of similar projects within the clients business, mine site business risk assessments and detailed clarification and scope refinement with the preferred supplier to minimise client risk from variations.
In addition, we have also been completing inspections, checklists and identifying conformance and non-conformance items for equipment such as drill rigs, drill rig support equipment, earthmoving equipment, vegetation clearing equipment, Powerline construction equipment, heavy vehicles and light vehicles to operate on the mine including being our clients pre-mobilisation inspector at supplier sites in NSW and Qld.
We have been working 100% within our clients IT system whilst working remotely from our office in Newcastle and whilst on-site using secure server access systems, attending regular meetings using Webex and Skype and working in the SAP system to maintain data integrity and ensure our client controls all data associated with the work we do.
This work has been excellent for us to expand our skills in civil and electrical areas to provide a wider service offering for both our current client and future clients.
The spare parts of the business has slowed however with some older underground coal mining equipment being brought back into service, there has been the need for the odd parts sale occasionally. As most of the remaining parts Nitsua Group stocks being for older obsolete items of plant, the decision was made to take down the Shop from the www.nitsuagroup.net website due to the low likelihood of sales and the inability to service parts sales dispatches due to working remote to the warehouse.
In order for the business to understand the current and future opportunities in Newcastle and the hunter, we have proudly joined Hunternet. Being a Hunternet member increases our understanding of opportunities for work expansion into areas such as rail, maritime and defence plus allows networking with similar businesses to create collaboration opportunities.
Our involvement in the civil tunnelling projects did wind down in 2018 with the completion of project management work to prepare equipment for work in Sydney. We do follow exisiting and future projects and keep in touch with our contacts to provide assistance when needed.
Apart from all the work that is going on, there is still time to maintain work and family time balance. With kids busy on baseball, AFL, athletics and basketball and more recently a few dirt bikes being added to the garage, our weekends are usually fairly busy.
we will put a few more posts up in the coming weeks to shop some minor projects and improvements underway in our warehouse.
Paul and Meagan
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