Mining

On-Site Dry-Shotcrete Production at Kemano Plant – Kitimat, BC

Project: Intake and exhaust tunnels and powerhouse for the KEMANO Hydroelectric Plant (near Kitimat, BC)
Year: 1990/1991
Owner: Alcan – K.C.P. (Kemano Completion Project)
Contractor: Foundation
Client: Foundation
Volume: Approximately 6,000 cubic yards in 200 days
Operation: Target Products Limited designed, built and operated its own batch plant which was erected at the site.

  • Shotcrete Concentrate (a mixture of cement and all necessary admixtures) was brought to site in pre-dosed bulk bags.
  • Gravel and sand available on site were dried and sieved to attain a recommended ACI No2 shotcrete gradation.
  • Dry shotcrete was available to the contractor at all times from a 50 cubic yard silo erected just outside the mine.
  • Shotcrete was taken into the mine in auger trucks operated by the contractor – trucks were gravity loaded at the silo in less than 15 minutes.
  • The shotcrete plant was fully operational only 7 weeks after placing of the order.

  • General view of the shotcrete drying and batching plant at Kemano

  • Proportioning and batching system used to produce steel fibre reinforced shotcrete

  • Shotcrete storage silo available to contractor 24 hours a day with dry and warm shotcrete

  • Detail of auger truck being loaded from shotcrete silo

  • Schematic plan view of the KEMANO plant

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