Collaboration with its clients has seen Tradesales relocatable site solutions be used on major mine sites across Australia for years.
In July 2018, a Chilean copper miner struck a 10-year deal with national utility Colbún to provide 550 gigawatt hours of electricity from renewable sources from July 2020.
The deal made the copper mine the first in the Chile to operate on 100 per cent renewable energy.
Closer to home, a major gold mine in Western Australia is working with a key mobile and modular power company to build one of the world’s largest renewable energy microgrids.
The mine will be powered by 20,000 solar panels and backed up by a two megawatt battery system. These devices will be integrated into a natural gas-fuelled generator.
In September 2024, a major iron ore miner announced its climate transition plan, outlining comprehensive details of how it plans to eliminate fossil fuels from its Australian operations by 2030 using a number of measures, including solar energy.
“While renewables at mine sites are not a new thing, their rollout is investment-intensive and not easy to access should a project enter a new area or if the company needs to rapidly increase the number of facilities,” Tradesales national sales manager Jay McEwen told Safe to Work.
“Our relocatable off-grid site offices, crib rooms and toilet blocks help to fill the gap between companies’ renewable ambitions and functionality by allowing them into remote areas without the need to be connected to the grid – renewable or otherwise.”
Tradesales has been building relocatable site solutions, also known as modified containers, for the mining sector for over a decade. They are now used by Australia’s mining majors, contracting companies and original equipment manufacturers alike.
“We pride ourselves on innovation and we’re always looking to push the boundaries on what we can offer our partners,” McEwen said. “Collaboration with our clients led to the development of the Hydration Station, the Lubestation and numerous other relocatable infrastructure.
“While our modified containers all vary in design and purpose, the thing they all have in common is that they are relocatable, allowing them to be deployed easily to remote locations, such as on a mine site, and moved to a different area when needed.
“With options like renewable power, battery back-up and water tanks, our range of off-grid solar containers takes this benefit to the next level.”
Beating the heat
Mining in Australia can be hot and hard work.
“Off-grid site offices and crib rooms not only act as a central hub for managing activities but also provide a much-needed respite from the elements,” McEwen said.
“The site offices and crib rooms come with powerful air-conditioning, power and inverters to charge appliances and computers, and kitchenettes with wastewater tanks.”
While cool air-conditioning may have once been viewed as optional, WA’s Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 now requires employers to provide and maintain an environment in which workers are not exposed to hazards. This applies to any safety and health risk, including illness from working in the heat.
Tradesales’ off-grid solutions are used by operators and contractors for exploration work and the construction of new areas of a site where existing power and water infrastructure may not be available. They are also used when staff numbers are greatly increased for a limited time, such as during a shutdown.
“Shutdowns require companies to rapidly increase the number of people on-site,” McEwen said. “Relocatable off-grid options allow companies to add and remove extra facilities seamlessly.”
When nature calls
Tradesales’ most recent addition to the lineup is the off-grid toilet block.
“In a remote environment such as in mining, traditional toilet blocks come with several challenges – access to power and water, connection to sewerage,” McEwen said.
“Our offering solves these challenges with solar power and an in-built water tank, all sitting on top of a sewerage tank.”
The Tradesales off-grid toilet block features five individual unisex toilet cubicles each with its own external door. Vinyl floor throughout the toilet block allows for easy maintenance and all electrical work is completed to a mine-spec.
In addition, in-built water and sewerage tanks are easily accessible for emptying, refill and upkeep.
“Tradesales has been manufacturing bespoke storage and workplace solutions for the mining industry for over three decades,” McEwen said.
“Due to this experience and our local manufacturing capability, we provide predictable upfront costs, precise timelines, and minimal impact on our client’s operation.”
Tradesales can also out-fit other relocatable site solutions with solar power to help solve numerous energy challenges that operators face.
This feature also appears in the November-December issue of Safe to Work.