Mammoet successfully sets new pipe rack in Iowa mine

Mammoet has successfully transported, lifted and set a new pipe rack for Linwood Mining and Minerals Corp in Davenport/Iowa.

Aerial view of Mammoet maneuvering pipe rack
© Mammoet

Due to increased demand for their calcium and lime products, mining was extended to an underground operation and the company introduced new equipment and technology to accommodate mine expansion and meet customer needs. The newly installed pipe rack provides additional ventilation for the kilns, and the shed will support a future conveyor belt in order to improve efficiency.

Preparing for lift
© Mammoet

After realizing Mammoet’s mining related expertise via videos on their YouTube channel, Rick Pieper, Maintenance Manager at Linwood Mining and Minerals Corp, felt confident calling on Mammoet for a solution to the challenges he faced regarding the upgrades to Linwood’s facility. Mammoet provided a simple yet unique solution which consisted of a gantry and a slide system. The alternative method was to assemble two large cranes which would have been more costly and time consuming; however, Mammoet proposed the gantry method to avoid added delays and expenses.

Transporting the pipe rack beneath the gantry
© Mammoet

Using climbing jacks, Mammoet jacked up the pipe rack weighing 298 t with an overall length of 75 m and width of 5.5 m. Next, Mammoet used two self-propelled Goldhofer trailers, 10 axle-lines each, with turn tables and the pipe rack. Adjacent to the loaded trailers, a 700 t gantry system was assembled, and the pipe rack was maneuvered beneath. The load was lifted with the gantry, lowered down onto falsework, rigging changed and picked up again to final height and slid over the foundation and set. Mammoet used a combination of local labor and Mammoet specialized labor, including one Mammoet ironworker and two local ironworkers.

Mammoet’s gantry lifting the pipe rack
© Mammoet

Over the years, Mammoet has positioned itself as a trusted advisor in the mining industry. Early on Mammoet began transporting draglines, and other wheeled equipment, on SPMT’s in one piece to improve efficiency and reduce wear and tear to costly mining equipment. Mammoet was the first to engineer and perform this scope of work for the mining industry, which has since become more of a common practice. Mammoet’s mining related industry experience includes a rock crusher and conveyor transport in California, a dragline in New Mexico, a 797 haul truck in Canada and more.

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