Mining in Australia is one of our main primary industries and a significant contributor to the Australian economy. The mining sector employs around 2.2% of the Australian labour force, with the vast majority being based in more remote areas of the country away from traditional infrastructure.
Modified Shipping Containers are the perfect solution for many of the mining industries unique requirements, be the storage, containerised building or something more unique. Let’s look at some of the more common uses for shipping containers in Minerals, Coal, Natural Gas and Uranium Mining industries.
Transportation
Still one of the most common uses for shipping containers, transporting bulk goods to and from sites, 10, 20 and 40 foot containers can be used to transport goods by truck, train, ship or helicopter to remote mining sites anywhere in the country.
Worker Accommodation Containers “Dongas”
Due to the fly in, fly out nature of many workers contracts, temporary accommodation is required on, or close to the site. Converted shipping containers are ideal for these accommodation units as they are strong, secure and easy to modify elsewhere before transporting them to isolated mining sites. Portable accommodation units are stackable and scalable allowing you to increase your amount of accommodation based on the amount of workers that the mine has.
Modified Shipping Container accommodation can be fitted out in any way that is required from a single container “house” with bedroom, bathroom and lounge to multi person dormitories for junior staff. Modified shipping containers can include all the the luxuries to make life in hot climates comfortable including:
- Air conditioning
- Plumbing
- Electrical work
- Cupboard space
- Smoke detectors
- Single or double beds
- TVs & entertainment systems
Kitchen Modified Shipping Containers
Workers need to work on a full stomach, and what better way to feed them than getting a modified shipping container kitchen into a remote mining area. A properly fitted out shipping container kitchen is able to prepare and cook food for hundreds of people at a time. Shipping containers can be customised to your catering teams’ individual requirements including:
- Commercial style kitchen setup
- Stainless steel fitouts
- Gas or electric
Dining and Entertainment Containers
After a hard day at work everyone needs a decent meal, some rest and relaxation. Custom built dining and entertainment containers can be made for mining camps with everything required to eat and entertain including:
- Restaurant or bench style tables and seating
- Self service areas
- Entertainment systems
Food Storage
A large amount of food storage space is required when feeding a large workforce. Shipping containers provide excellent dry goods, refrigerated and frozen goods storage that is safe, secure and pest proof. Food storage containers can be modified to include:
- Lighting and electrical
- Air conditioning or refrigeration (in reefer containers)
- Ice makers
- Food grade racking and shelving
Laundry and Ablution Containers
Mining can be a messy job, and all mining camps need a decent commercial laundry for large scale cleaning of overalls and linens. Showers and toilet blocks are also a necessary component of any living and working areas.
These mobile ablution shipping containers can be fitted out with:
- Commercial grade laundry washers and driers
- Shower and toilet cubicles
- Gas or electric water heating
Mobile Office Units
Modified Shipping Containers make perfect portable site offices, with the ability to modify them in any way that is required. Fitouts can include electricity, air conditioning, custom workspaces and more.
Training Rooms
With a constant stream of new hires in the industry, the requirement to train and upskill doesn’t stop. Containers can be converted into purpose built training rooms with electrical fitout, air conditioning to keep cool while everyone is concentrating, AV fitouts for presentations, classroom furniture and more.
Doctors Surgeries, Medical Clinics & First Aid Posts
As with any large population there is a requirement for medical services, and with isolation comes the need for any medium sized mining community to have their own medical facilities. Medical clinics can be build into customised shipping containers using stainless steel medical grade fittings for hygiene, power and plumbing along with specialised medical equipment built in.
Generator Containers
Power needs in the outback after often off the grid, and portable generators are a necessity. Modified containers can be built to contain various sizes and outputs of electrical generators and are easy to transport and install. Our units can be built to include:
- Doors for easy maintenance and inspection
- High capacity fuel tanks
- Control panels and switch cabinets for easy access
- Flame and soundproof compartments which reduce fire risk and noise pollution
Water Treatment units and Pump Stations
Mining camps are often in hot areas of the outback requiring both drinking and grey water for everything from food preparation, to cooling and cleaning. Containerised water treatment stations are easy to install and ensure clean and pure drinking water wherever you are. These systems include multi stage filtration and osmosis, plumbing, electrical fitouts pumps and access panels for easy maintenance and cleaning.
Portable Shipping Container Workshops
Mining is an equipment and machinery intensive industry and there is always a need for portable shipping container workshop for engineers, mechanics, electricians and other technical staff. Custom built workspaces can be constructed for whatever need you have in any size from 10 to 40 feet. These workshops can include:
- Heavy duty workbenches
- Lockable roller doors and secure windows to provide easy access while securing expensive tools
- Full lighting and electrical fitouts according to safety standards
Explosives Storage Magazines
Explosives are used for rock blasting in mining and their safe storage is critical to both security and health and safety. Australia even has the highest consumption of explosives in the world for mining. Modified shipping containers are an ideal storage solution for explosives, flammable liquids and dangerous goods. Our explosives containers are custom built to meet and exceed Australian explosive storage regulations and feature:
- Insulation against the elements
- Lockable, safe and secure
- ISO standard sizes and quality accredited
- Manufactured to Australian Standards AS2187.1-1998
- Signage as per regulatory requirements
Storage Containers
Modified shipping containers make ideal safe, secure and portable storage sheds for mining equipment, tools and anything that needs to be kept out of the elements.
Our Modified Shipping Containers are Fully Customisable
Our cheap second hand shipping containers can be customised and finished virtually any way you require, from a custom paint job in company colours, to a full bespoke fit out. We can add anything that your company requires from security, insulation,ventilation, shelving, electrical fitouts, access doors & windows, all of it to industry best practise standards.
Why Use Shipping Containers?
- Shipping containers are easy to transport to virtually any site, anywhere in the world due to ISO standard sizes and shapes
- Shipping containers come in a variety of sizes from 10 to 40 foot
- Shipping containers are easily stackable up to 9 containers high
- Shipping container buildings are easily scalable for growing operations
- Shipping containers are rugged, strong and durable, built for rough sea transport and able to handle anything the elements can throw at them
Our team have a wide range of experience in building modified shipping containers for the mining and natural resources industry in Australia and beyond. Contact us now to discuss with our expert team how modified shipping containers can be used in your mining camp.
