Alstom to supply a turnkey rail system in the province of West Papua

Grasberg is the world’s leading gold mine and third-leading copper mine, producing over 240,000 tonnes of minerals per day and employing some 20,000 people. Photo: Alfindra Primaldhi.

Alstom and mining company PT Freeport Indonesia have signed a contract representing around €90 million for the supply of a turnkey rail system to develop mining operations at the Grasberg mine, in the province of West Papua, Indonesia.
Alstom’s will supply the rail, catenaries, substations and the signalling and telecommunications systems for a future underground rail network.
Alstom signalling system Atlas, will in particular be used to achieve more fluid traffic and optimal frequencies while ensuring passenger safety.
The company will ensure the design, installation, and comprehensive integration of the system – which also includes rolling stock specific to mining operations, service launch, operational support and maintenance.
Currently being mined in the open air at 4,000 meters in altitude, Grasberg is the world’s leading gold mine and third-leading copper mine, producing over 240,000 tonnes of minerals per day and employing some 20,000 people.
The rail network will cover 19 km (15 km in tunnels) and consist of a single track. Dedicated to transporting the mine’s employees, equipment and explosives and the removal of rubble, it will facilitate operations in the heart of the mountain, at 2,500 m in altitude.
It will also link the warehouse outside the mine to three terminals in the heart of the mountain.
The rail system will guarantee completely safe train operation, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, at a maximum speed of 40 km/h and a level of availability above 99%.
“This is a first for Alstom Transport,” commented Dominique Pouliquen, Alstom Transport Executive Director for the Asia-Pacific region.
“We had never before worked for a mine in Asia-Pacific region, and are very pleased by the trust PTFI has placed in our Systems solutions for such a project. This project could become a standard-setter in Indonesia and meet the needs of other similar opportunities.”
Under the responsibility of the Alstom’s site of Bologna, the delivery of the Atlas complete signaling system will involve sites of Charleroi (Belgium), Villeurbanne (France) and Bandung (Indonesia).
The main part of the network will be put into service in July 2013.