The first phase of the expansion of the “Żelazny Most” tailings storage facility is coming to an end. Budimex used the mild winter to carry out works ahead of the assumptions included in the schedule for Phase 2 and 3. The planned completion date of the entire works is June 2022.
The investment carried out by Budimex includes activities related to preparatory activities and the construction of dams surrounding the Southern Quarter – the eastern dam located in the Rudna Municipality and the western dam in the Polkowice Commune. The works commissioned by KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. have been underway since May 2018. “The Żelazny Most Tailings Storage Facility is the largest waste reservoir of this type in Europe. After the completion of the works, a quarter will be built that will be able to accommodate about 170 million cubic meters of waste from copper ore flotation,” says Artur Popko, Vice President of Budimex SA. Due to the strategic nature of the task, despite certain restrictions related to the coronavirus epidemic, the work is continued in accordance with special occupational health and safety rules,” adds Artur Popko.
The full implementation of the works is planned for mid-2022. The opening of the Southern Quarter will enable the deposit of flotation waste over its entire area to be commenced. The contract value is PLN 578 million.
Smooth operation
Earthworks related to the construction of the Phase I reservoir have already been completed in 99 percent, and sliding concreting of the K2 and K3 chambers has also been completed. Currently, finishing works and installation of mattress drainage are underway on site, and the construction of sealing cohesive layers is also underway. Drainage installations of the facility are planned for the coming months. “The mild winter treated us kindly, allowing us to carry out many works earlier than we assumed in the schedule. Currently, rainy days, which have been abundant in Poland recently, remain a challenge – says Artur Popko, Vice-President of Budimex SA.
About 50 subcontractors are currently working on site, and about 170 equipment units are also involved in the activities – mainly Budimex’s own
Strategic Object
The Żelazny Most Tailings Storage Facility is a place for depositing copper ore flotation tailings from all mines of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. Modern construction technologies implemented by Budimex will ensure the effective use of the facility and the development of KGHM in the copper belt. The investor chose the safest variant of the construction and sealing of the dams, both in terms of hydrotechnical and environmental aspects.
The target volume of the Southern Quarter is to be about 170 million m³, the length of the external dams is about 6400 m, and the height is to be a maximum of 60 m. The width of the beaches is planned to be at least 200 m. The facility is environmentally neutral and fully protects the natural surroundings from water collected in the tank.
Budimex, as a leader in the construction industry, has many hydrotechnical projects to its credit. It is m.in. contractor of the Racibórz Dolny flood control reservoir being completed, currently it is also carrying out design work on the construction of the “Vistula” collector in Warsaw.
The “Żelazny Most” tailings storage facility investment is being carried out by Budimex SA Infrastructure Construction Branch South.
