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APAC delivered a customised 90kW HVAC solution for Prominent Hill Mine, providing reliable underground cooling in harsh conditions.
Operating in one of Australia's most demanding mining environments, BHP's Prominent Hill Copper-Gold Mine requires equipment that can withstand extreme temperatures, dust and challenging operating conditions. When the site's underground operations needed a dedicated cooling solution for critical groundwater pumping infrastructure, APAC delivered a customised HVAC system engineered to perform reliably in a confined underground environment.
Background
Located in central South Australia, Prominent Hill is a large-scale mining operation where equipment reliability is essential to maintaining continuous production and site safety. The harsh environmental conditions place significant demands on mechanical systems, requiring solutions that are robust, efficient and designed for long-term performance.
As part of the mine's underground infrastructure, groundwater pumping equipment required effective cooling to ensure reliable operation. The project called for a specialised HVAC solution capable of delivering high cooling capacity while fitting within the spatial limitations of the underground installation.
Challenge
The project presented several unique challenges. The HVAC units needed to provide 90kW of cooling capacity while operating within a restricted footprint approximately 40 metres below ground.
In addition to the space constraints, the solution needed to integrate with the layout of the existing switch room, allowing sufficient access for ongoing maintenance and servicing. Reliability was also a critical consideration, as any interruption to cooling could impact the performance of essential pumping equipment.
The harsh mining environment introduced further engineering requirements, including resistance to dust, corrosion and extreme operating conditions commonly encountered across remote mining sites.
Solution
APAC engineered and supplied two customised P045 Vertical Package Units specifically configured to meet the site's operational and spatial requirements.
Each unit was designed with top-mounted supply air discharge, enabling direct ducting into the underground switch room, while end-return air connections aligned perfectly with the room's layout. This tailored configuration maximised the available installation space while maintaining clear service access for maintenance personnel.
To support the mine's reliability requirements, each package incorporated dual refrigeration circuits with two compressors, providing built-in redundancy and operational resilience. The systems were also equipped with high-efficiency variable speed EC plug fans and head pressure-controlled condenser fans, optimising performance across varying operating conditions while improving energy efficiency.
Recognising the demanding environment, APAC's heavy-duty industrial design was further enhanced with stainless steel chassis construction and Blygold coil corrosion protection. These features provide long-term durability and protection against the harsh atmospheric conditions often encountered in remote mining operations.
Results
Delivered a total of 90kW cooling capacity within a restricted underground footprint.
Custom airflow configuration designed to suit the existing switch room layout.
Dual refrigeration circuits provided critical redundancy for enhanced reliability.
High-efficiency EC plug fans improved system performance and energy management.
Stainless steel construction and Blygold coil protection increased durability in harsh mining conditions.
Maintained serviceability despite tight installation constraints.
Reliable cooling for critical groundwater pumping equipment 40 metres underground.
Outcome
Through a customised engineering approach, APAC delivered a robust HVAC solution tailored to the demanding requirements of Prominent Hill's underground operations.
The combination of high-capacity cooling, built-in redundancy and heavy-duty construction ensures reliable performance in one of Australia's most challenging mining environments, helping protect critical infrastructure and support ongoing operational efficiency.
– APAC is Rinnai Australia’s commercial HVAC brand.