Tanami PCS Upgrade Stage 2B/3

Challenge / Problem:  Newmont Tanami Operations required a modern, sitewide process control system to support both the Granites processing plant and the Dead Bullock Soak underground mining operation. The existing control environment needed to be upgraded to improve reliability, performance, and safety, while accommodating two geographically and operationally distinct locations. Key challenges included eliminating electrical contact risk to personnel, improving plant performance through greater automation, integrating with Newmont’s broader business systems, and ensuring compliance with Newmont Global Process Control System Standards for hardware, architecture, and control logic.

Solution:  During Stage 2B/3 Detailed Engineering, a comprehensive process control system architecture was designed to support a widely distributed control environment across the Tanami site. The solution focused on standardising hardware, system architecture, control logic, and software in line with Newmont Global PCS standards. Advanced, real-time automation functions were incorporated to maximise business value, enhance process-to-plant performance, and enable seamless integration with Newmont corporate systems. Safety was embedded into the design, with measures implemented to protect workers, plant, and equipment and to eliminate electrical contact risks for personnel.

Outcome / Results:  Completion of Stage 2B/3 Detailed Engineering delivered a fully defined, standards-compliant control system design ready for execution. Newmont Tanami Operations now has a validated PCS architecture, standardised hardware and software specifications, and detailed control philosophies aligned with Newmont Global Process Control System Standards. Key safety risks, including electrical contact exposure for PCS personnel, were systematically addressed at the design stage, and opportunities for advanced automation and improved plant performance were clearly identified and engineered. This outcome significantly reduced technical, safety, and integration risks for Stage 4, enabling a smoother execution phase, improved cost and schedule certainty, and a clear pathway to achieving sitewide performance and reliability improvements.

Platforms Used: Redundant M580 with X80 I/O.