DomeShelter Australia has been leading the way in fabric shelter construction for over 30 years.
Fabric shelters have become synonymous with the mining industry because of their high-quality protection and manoeuvrability – with one company going above and beyond to stay at the vanguard of innovation.
DomeShelter Australia has been delivering engineered fabric shelters for more than three decades, with almost 9000 shelters installed in more than 50 different countries, including in some of the world’s harshest environments.
“We have a major focus on design and engineering, which puts us at the forefront of industry conversation because of the mining sector’s strict regulations,” DomeShelter Australia technical solutions principal Bobby Fawkes told Australian Mining.
“Our capabilities are all in-house, which positions us as a real expert in this field. We design bespoke solutions to address specific problems mining companies are facing everyday.”
DomeShelter solutions, which come with a 10-year warranty, have a range of benefits. They’re durable, easy to install, and are proven in the toughest of conditions, including cyclones.
The shelters come in a variety of different designs to help ensure each one is fit-for-purpose. Container, concrete wall and post-mounted options support bulk storage facilities wherever they’re needed, with combination options allowing for even greater flexibility.
“From the early stages of a project, we develop an understanding of the client’s key challenges and what success looks like for them,” Fawkes said.
“Our experts are on hand to assess viability and come up with ways of seamlessly integrating shelters to enhance efficiencies across mining operations.
“We want to get to the bottom of what clients are trying to achieve – fully understanding what they’re working with, the product they’re storing, the length of time it is to be stored for, and what machinery they’re using.
“The client then has the opportunity to review a range of options and, along with our recommendations, consider what will provide the best return for their operation.”
Fabric shelters can not only be used for protecting people, machinery and creating workshop space but they can also be used for bulk storage.
Concrete wall-mounted fabric shelters are one such solution, having been described as a “rugged workhorse” in the most challenging of environments.
“Bulk storage is generally considered a more permanent part of a mine’s infrastructure,” Fawkes said.
“Having an operational storage facility that can be set up in as little as two months provides a great deal of assurance that work can get underway as soon as possible.”
With flexibility being key, fabric shelters “fit the bill” for sites across the world because of their rapid deployment rate compared to conventional buildings.
“A key benefit is that DomeShelter structures are relocatable, so as the mine grows the structures can be moved to where the work’s happening,” Fawkes said.
These benefits, on top of efficient installation, are what put DomeShelter Australia in a prime position to cater to many different scenarios.
“Let’s say a shelter is going to store 500 tonnes of product like ore or spodumene, or be used as a warehouse facility. That can be fully operational inside eight weeks,” Fawkes said.
“During a site shutdown, which might be a six-to eight-week project, the shelter can act as a warehouse. There are so many use cases for a structure like this.”
DomeShelter Australia’s client experience is also in the upper echelon, another of the many reasons the company has been a leader in the market for decades.
With customer needs always changing, Fawkes said, DomeShelter Australia must remain dynamic to ensure consumers remain at the “centre of everything”.
“We know what works and what doesn’t,” he said.
“We’ve been in the market for 30 years and have our in-house team of experts that can tailor our service.”
An example of this approach is DomeShelter Australia’s development of a 240 square metre fabric shelter without a crane or height access.
“Innovating with hinges and working with pulley systems enables us to push the boundaries of what’s been done before,” Fawkes said.
“In developing our bespoke solutions, we do everything in-house.
“We’re there from start to finish, and we support our clients with after market support post-installation.”
This article appears in the October issue of Australian Mining magazine.
