Early stages of work at Holcim Timaru terminal underway

The early stages of work are underway at the site of a proposed 30,000t cement terminal in Timaru, New Zealand.

Holcim New Zealand confirmed its plans to build an import facility at PrimePort Timaru in December. Geotechnical investigation has begun with contractors drilling to 25m near the old grain silos, the Timaru Herald reported.

Holcim projects manager Ken Cowie told the newspaper that the investigation work was part of getting engineering data for future design. The geotechnical information gathered from digging would help with the design which was some months away.

PrimePort infrastructure manager Rhys Welbourn said construction was still in the planning stages. ??"They are drilling down between 20 and 25m. There's quite a bit of basalt ... which is quite good for foundation work."

Previously, Cowie said that choosing the Port of Timaru provides Holcim with access to the major market of Christchurch, utilising the new silo capacity there and to the rest of the South Island. Building an import terminal at Timaru was also consistent with the option of eventually building a new cement plant in Weston, although this remains on hold for the foreseeable future, Cowie added.