Sundt has found itself in a pretty deep hole with one of its longstanding mining clients. The hole happens to be 6,500 feet deep straight toward the center of the earth in Superior, Ariz., where Resolution Copper operates an underground mine that sits atop the highest grade copper reserve in the western United States.
Since being awarded its first project at the site in 2008, Sundt has proven its ability to perform work quickly, safely and to a high degree of quality. For that reason, Resolution Copper continues to award projects to Sundt, the latest of which is the second phase of a massive cooling system for the underground operation. (Sundt installed the first part of the cooling system in 2012 and is now beginning work on the second phase as an addition to the original contract.)
The system can be thought of as a giant swamp cooler, in which a huge fan blows air over large radiator coils that have chilled water trickling over them. The temperature of the air drops as it passes over the coils and is then directed down the mine shaft.
As with most mining construction projects, performing work quickly is essential so the mine can return to development. Sundt’s crews are working six days a week, 10 hours a day for 12 straight weeks to complete the cooling system installation.
“This is how mines work. Every minute they’re not producing, they’re losing money,” says Clint Sundt, Sundt’s Area Manager for mining construction. “They want a contractor that understands that, values it, and does whatever it takes to get in and do the work safely and then get out of the way.”
Mines also tend to be dangerous environments filled with a lot of large, powerful equipment. That adds another layer of complication to the project, along with a set of high expectations when it comes to safety.
“There aren’t many contractors that can perform this kind of work quickly and safely,” Clint continued. “Sundt can, which is why we’ve been Resolution Copper’s contractor of choice since 2008. They use a qualifications-based selection process that prioritizes a contractor’s safety record first and foremost, followed closely by quality.”