South32, Hillside Aluminium is an aluminium smelter located in Richards Bay. The smelter has been in operation for approximately 25 years and utilises the Aluminium Pechiney (AP30) technology, which produces 720 KT of aluminium annually.
Molten liquid aluminium from the reduction potrooms are transported about 2 km through to the Casthouse in 10-ton ladles at around 750 degrees, to weighbridges and then into the holding furnaces. Each ladle is lined with refractories, which needs to be replaced after 1 400 cycles of use. There are currently 20 ladles in circulation. Tilt launders are used to transfer the molten aluminium from the ladles into the furnaces – these are movable and can be repaired and relined off-site. The furnace launders transfer the molten aluminium from the furnaces to the casting chains – these launder pieces are not movable and have to be repaired and/or relined on-site, in situ.
The request is to have a dedicated refractory Casthouse service provider that will offer a turnkey solution for refractory services, which will include everything from ad-hoc repairs, emergency repairs, scheduled and unscheduled relining, measuring, quality inspections as well as ensuring constant and ready supply to the Casthouse, as the process is a continuous 24-hour operation.
The Casthouse scope is for 2 suitable vendors to provide the services for the following scope of works:
- Relining of Launders and Repairs
- Relining of Ladles and Repairs
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
In order to be successfully considered for progression of this expression of interest, all the below requirements will need to be met by the relevant incumbents:
- Preference will be given to Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) or Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE), in terms of the 2007 Codes of Good Practice company
- Preference will be given to companies that have had previous experience in rendering refractory services such as furnace and induction furnace relining, ladle relining and related services
- The company must employ South African personnel, preferably from the King Cetshwayo District (KCD) Municipality for these services
- The Contractor must be in a position of working shifts if necessary
- Comply with all COVID-19 regulations and controls
- The incumbent must have in-house Quality Management and Safety Standards
- Valid company registration documentation
ENQUIRIES
Interested parties must submit their expression of interest with the supporting documents to: 2315771f.south32.net@amer.teams.ms by 16:00 on Friday, 4th March 2022. The heading EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – HILLSIDE ALUMINIUM REFRACTORY SERVICES: CASTHOUSE PLANT – (Vendor Name and scope) must be quoted on all communication related to this expression of interest.
The following documents must be submitted with the expression of interest:
- Company registration documents (CK)
- BBBEE certificate or affidavit
- Company profile with the contact details of the Respondents’ representative
- Proof of previous related experience
- Contact details of three (3) references that can be contacted
ONLY QUALIFYING COMPANIES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE TENDER.
