Resolution Copper Plant Smelter Complex​

Client: ERM West, Inc.
Contract Amount: $1,000,000
Key Features:
  • Explosive felling of 300 foot exhaust chimney
  • Development of professionally engineered execution plan to account for structurally compromised chimney
  • Mechanical demolition of former copper smelter complex buildings including use of high reach excavator
  • Project performed in close collaboration with town of Superior, AZ, Pinal County, ADEQ and other stakeholders
AIS, working as demolition contractor to ERM, developed a comprehensive execution plan to manage the challenging conditions associated with demolition of the Resolution Copper West Plant Smelter Complex. The age (circa 1920) and deteriorated conditions of the smoke stack created a challenging environment in which to prepare it for demolition. AIS utilized explosive felling to safely demolish the 300 foot tall stack. System scaffolding was used to create a protective canopy for our demolition specialists working in proximity to the stack. The modular canopies were constructed outside the hazard fall zone and flown into place using excavators. Pre- felling demolition tasks included wire sawing and removing 20 -ton brick notches at base of chimney and drilling holes for explosive charges. Additionally, AIS installed a water misting system and soil cushioning layer in the fall zone to mitigate the environmental hazards associated with the work. The explosive felling was successfully executed on November 10, 2018. AIS completed this challenging project with zero incidents. 

Click here to view an extended video of this project on Resolution Copper's YouTube channel.

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