The Red Dog VIP Mill optimisation project: a study in fast-track project execution and alliance contracting.

Details are given of the mill optimisation project at the Red Dog VIP mill, Alaska. The project addressed a number of issues related to risk reduction, power generation capacity, water treatment capacity and concentrate thickening. The project was executed, from conception to completion inside two years. Less than nine months elapsed from concept to delivery of materials and equipment to site. The project faced a 100-day ice-free shipping window, the challenges of construction in an Arctic environment, and an extremely tight labour market for qualified craft personnel. These challenges were successfully addressed and resulted in increased zinc concentrate production to 1 100 000 t/a while improving both product quality and zinc recovery.
Details are given of the mill optimisation project at the Red Dog VIP mill, Alaska. The project addressed a number of issues related to risk reduction, power generation capacity, water treatment capacity and concentrate thickening. The project was executed, from conception to completion inside two years. Less than nine months elapsed from concept to delivery of materials and equipment to site. The project faced a 100-day ice-free shipping window, the challenges of construction in an Arctic environment, and an extremely tight labour market for qualified craft personnel. These challenges were successfully addressed and resulted in increased zinc concentrate production to 1 100 000 t/a while improving both product quality and zinc recovery.