Case Studies

South 32 Tailings Dam Construction

Asset Type: Tailings dam construction
Client: South 32
Location: Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory
Scope: : Supply of key project management personnel for owner’s team
Project Value: $100 million
Duration: 12 Months
Date: 2018

Concentis was engaged to source and recruit a team of leading project delivery personnel to operate as a contractor workforce on the construction of a tailings dam at the Manganese Mine on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory.

​​South 32 clearly acknowledged that ensuring the best project delivery personnel mobilised, would be crucial to the successful execution of their $100 million tailings dam project. The owners team required a workforce that was experienced, knowledgeable and capable of working in a FIFO oriented working environment within in a remote location.

The company was faced with three key challenges in assembling the right workforce to support a safe, on time on budget project outcome:

1. Fast mobilisation of a skilled and experienced delivery team
2. The skills required were not present amongst their current staff
3. Flexibility was essential given the project was scheduled to run for 12 months with no guarantee of further work beyond that

These challenges led South 32 to engage Concentis to source, recruit and hire a highly skilled contractor workforce to lead and deliver various elements with the project.

Concentis placed eight out of the 10 project management roles across the job. Those specific roles included Civil Project Lead, Mechanical Project Lead, Project Controller, Construction Supervisors and Health and Safety Professionals.

A three-step process was used to build the team.

1. The first step involved sourcing top talent with the necessary experience and ideal profile to fit each role.
2. This was followed by a rigorous screening and engagement phase with candidates to assess their suitability on various fronts including cultural fit, similar project experience and commitment to the project term.
3. In the third phase, Concentis secured the leading talent and managed the employment process for this contractor workforce on South 32’s behalf, overseeing onboarding with medicals, clearances and training, and managing all payroll requirements during the year.

The project was a success on all fronts with South 32 benefitting from key outcomes including:

• Fast and efficient assembly of a leading project team
• Zero performance-related issues or staff turnover from Concentis contractors
• No time lost on the project due to injuries to contractor workforce
• Project completed on time
• 80% of staff were retained by South 32 for future work following project completion
• Remaining 20% of the workforce were redeployed to new projects with leading Concentis clients.