Kiwi Newton was awarded a design-build contract on October 1, 2012, to complete a 3,200-square-foot, 60-foot-high addition to an existing refinery facility. This fast-tracked project had a tight completion deadline of February 1, 2013. The scope encompassed the design and construction of a two-level addition with specialized process piping, tanks, and equipment for silver extraction. This expansion enabled the refinery’s cyanide leach tanks, filters, cyanide destruction cells, and chemical storage to operate in a dedicated, self-contained space, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
The project, executed in Northern Ontario’s harsh winter climate with temperatures reaching -40°C, required innovative scheduling and construction techniques to prevent weather-related delays. To address these challenges, Kiwi Newton pre-cast the entire second floor containment area, including floors, curbs, and housekeeping pads, using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). This UHPC, fabricated in Kiwi Newton’s Guelph facility, was selected for its durability against chemical exposure and containment reliability. The use of pre-cast UHPC components enabled the project to stay on schedule despite extreme weather.
Construction incorporated a poured-in-place concrete foundation, a structural steel framework, and steel cladding. The main floor included a poured-in-place slab on grade with pre-cast UHPC pads, while all structural steel and metal components were fabricated at Kiwi Newton’s steel shop, ensuring seamless integration and accelerated delivery. Additionally, a late change order for a 5-ton overhead crane was accommodated, allowing for efficient handling of equipment within the second-floor process area. The project was completed on schedule, meeting the client’s specifications and demonstrating Kiwi Newton’s capability in fast-track, complex industrial construction.
