The versatility of the Speedspace solution in meeting BHP Billiton's requirements in terms of a functional modular prefabricated site accommodation design proves, once again, the advantage of Parkhomes.

Hotazel Manganese Mines (HMM), located in the Kalahari Basin in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, produces manganese ores and integrated ferroalloys. HMM operates two manganese mines – Wessels (underground) and Mamatwan (open-cut). Hotazel is the main administration centre for both the Wessels and Mamatwan mines.

Project summary and objectives:- Upgrading of the existing training facility at HMM. Speedspace was required to design and construct a new training centre, utilising portable, modular prefabricated site accommodation.

The client's brief to Speedspace was short and to the point:

"The new training centre will be the first point of entry for new employees and contractors and thus has to send a message of professionalism and high quality. The words world class have been used to describe the desired outcome. The new training centre must be able to accommodate induction-, engineering-, refresher training and first-aid training simultaneously." 

HMM required the new training centre to meet international BHP Billiton standards. Construction had to be of a semi-permanent nature to conserve costs, while maintaining a professional finish.

The design required the following prefabricated accommodation:

• 8 modular prefab classrooms providing accommodation for 15 students each.
• A modular prefab computer lecture room providing accommodation for 30 students.
• A modular prefab dining area with a mobile kitchen which will be utilised as a recreation area as well.

• In order to expedite the project, Speedspace offered HMM a turnkey solution which ensured that HMM dealt with one contractor only, thus eliminating the need for HMM to manage several contractors and juggling the various disciplines of the project.
• A multi-slice mobile prefab modular building, incorporating the following: manager's offices, open plan offices, a boardroom, staff ablutions, a small mobile kitchen and dining area, as well as a reception area. Portable toilets were also required, as well as containers for storage purposes.

The additional services Speedspace offered included the following:

• Electrical reticulation and commissioning
• Plumbing reticulation and commissioning
• Supply, installation and commissioning of air conditioners
• Supply of all the required office and training facility furniture as per the BHP Billiton specifications
• Supply of all the dining and kitchen furniture.

The result: A prefabricated modular site accommodation solution which is functional, with quality finishes as per the customer's requirements.

The successful completion of a project can be measured in various ways. Possibly the best way is feedback from the customer:

"It is with great pleasure that I give you feedback on the project that you guys assisted us with as it was an absolute joy working with your professional team!

The aim of our project was to create a new training centre at Hotazel. The training centre is to be used for various levels of training, varying from induction to engineering. It also houses the permanent training staff in a large open plan office with its own kitchen, bathrooms, quiet rooms and boardroom.

A site of 50 m x 80 m was cleared and compacted with manganese fines for this purpose and from there your team assisted us all the way. From design to redesign to ultimately constructing the training centre, no effort was spared. During the construction, Henna's positive energy on site, as well as his efficient team, was noticed by BHP Billiton staff and other contractors alike. Thank you especially for that!

Visitors to the training centre have been impressed with the quality and functionality of your product, and it has led to two more projects at Hotazel making use of the Speedspace solution.
I bid you and your team great success for the future. Stick to your winning formula! "

Project Manager
Hotazel Manganese Mines, Samancor Manganese
(Contact details available on request)