Aberpergwm Coal Mine - New Washery Infrastructure

Aberpergwm Coal Mine is situated in the Neath Valley, South Wales. Following investigations revealing substantial coal reserves within the mountain range, recently new owners Western Coal have committed significant funds to improving the overall mine infrastructure accordingly.

Integral to the proposed upgrades is the development of a new washery, which will replace the existing and provide the capacity required to deal with the increased productivity of the mine.

McCarthy's Role

Initial Site Set-Up

Due to the planning conditions of such new developments particular care and attention was placed during the site set-up. McCarthy's were instructed to commence the topsoil/sub-soil strip of the proposed area. The two separate entities were stored in a special lozenge storage area, where the topsoil/sub-soil would be preserved so that it can be utilised for restoration purposed during the de-commissioning of the plant.

Main Earthworks

During the contract a volume in excess of 30,000 m3 was excavated from the site and subsequently backfilled with graded stone, in order to provide sufficient foundations for the construction of the following: -

• Dry Coal storage building
• Coal preparation plant building
• Coal bunker
• Workshop building
• Weighbridge and associated building
• Car parks and access roads

Additional Work

Water Treatment Area:

In addition to the above, McCarthy's were given the 'Water treatment area' contract in its entirety. This included the construction of: -

• Primary settlement pond
• Attenuation pond
• Two number settlement lagoon's
• Oil Interceptor
• Various associated drainage runs and precast concrete headwalls

As well as the above the surrounding area was landscaped in Bodpave grasscrete, which was finished in 10mm single sized Limestone as per the client's requirements.

Coal Bunker:

In addition to the excavation for the construction of the proposed Coal Bunker, McCarthy's installed a sheet piled Cofferdam in order to sufficiently shore the excavation, so that the formwork contractors were enable to construct the Coal Bunker.