Black Rock Mine Operations (BRMO) Siding Upgrade

Client: Assmang (Pty) Ltd – Black Rock Mine Operations

Location: Northern Cape, South Africa (between km 4.690 and km 14.240)

Period: 2023–2024

Scope of Works

• Construction of 10 km of new 30TAL railway superstructure, including the installation of 2 × 60kg turnouts and upgrading of 4 public level crossings, all executed while maintaining continuous mine and rail operations.

• Execution in five distinct stages aligned with operational requirements.

• Deployment of WOT’s on-track plant fleet (tracklayer, tampers, regulators, flash-butt welder, locomotives c/w support rolling stock).

• Track construction, sleeper and rail installation, flash-butt welding, tamping, detressing and ballast regulation.

• Construction of box culverts to support drainage requirements.

• Erection of all associated track and road signage.

• Upliftment of approximately 2 km of existing track infrastructure.

• Integration of civil works and formation upgrades to ensure long-term track stability.

  
  

Key Challenges

• Working within a live mining environment with restricted occupation windows.

• Remote site conditions requiring self-sufficient mobilisation of plant, equipment, and crews.

• Strict compliance with health, safety, and mining regulations.

• Managing parallel delivery with South32 Project works while ensuring uninterrupted ore transport operations.

• Coordination and interface management with other main disciplines, including bridge, civils, and signalling contractors.

Solutions & Innovations

• Phased delivery in five possession stages enabled continuous mine operations during construction.

• WOT’s vertically integrated rail and civil divisions ensured seamless coordination of formation,

• track, and welding activities.

• Use of WOT’s wholly owned on-track plant provided full control over productivity, scheduling, and availability.

• Strong project leadership and collaboration ensured alignment between client operations, consultants, and multiple contractors.

Outcome & Benefits

• Delivered on schedule and within budget, despite complex logistics and site constraints.

• Upgraded siding increased Black Rock Mine’s capacity for ore handling and transport efficiency.

• Project demonstrated WOT’s capability to execute large-scale projects in parallel (BRMO and South32).

• Strengthened WOT’s reputation as a trusted heavy-haul rail contractor in the Northern Cape mining sector.