Rare Earth Processing

Rare Earth Processing facility in Kalgoorlie, Lynas Rare Earths needed a robust solution to house their control equipment, while also providing full visibility over their plant and offering a safe and comfortable working environment for their operators. Through DIAB Engineering, Lynas Rare Earths sought to design to develop a solution that could be constructed off-site but easily transported, then installed and commissioned on-site.

To achieve this, they combined two different sized shipping containers in an L-shaped configuration and installed three glass panels in a cantilevered structure to provide a 180-degree view of the processing plant. The remaining floorspace contained a kitchenette and storage space for control equipment.

The design and engineering team worked to ensure DIAB Engineering’s needs were met, despite facing particular challenges in creating the ‘L’ shape using a 20-foot and 10-foot container.

To create the shape and size required, the modifications team cut 1.2m out of the 20-foot container and then performed structural stability work to create a strong cantilevered section.

A structural assessment was completed by engineers to determine what stability work needed to be done to adjust for the container’s new size.