Cockburn cement plant

The Cockburn Cement Plant, at Munster, is located 30 kilometres south of Perth in Western Australia. It is owned and operated by Cockburn Cement Limited, a part of the Adelaide Brighton Group, that supports its customers purchasing cement products in most mainland states of Australia.

The Cockburn Cement Plant Consists of Cement and Lime Producing Plants
The Cockburn Cement Plant has a lime plant that consists of two, 450,000 tonnes a year capacity rotary kilns. Its cement manufacturing plant has three rotary cement kilns that have a combined capacity to handle up to 700,000 tonnes a year. It also has a capacity to store 40,000 tonnes of Quicklime and 20,000 tonnes of cement.

Cockburn Cement Plant Established in the 1950's
The Cockburn Cement Plant began production in the 1950's at Woodman Point near Munster. It mined its raw material, shellsand, from a dredging operation off the coast at Fremantle for use in the production of lime. The washed shells were pumped six kilometres from Woodman Point to the Munster plant.

Lime has Been Produced at the Cockburn Cement Plant Since 1973
Lime, as a stand alone product, was first produced by Cockburn Cement Limited in 1973 and ever since has been the focus on the company's major investment initiatives. The Cockburn Cement Plant has two major strengths, the manufacturing of both cement and lime products. Quicklime and hydrated lime produced at the plant is used in the alumina refining industry as well as by major mining companies who use it for water purification and neutralisation.
The Cockburn Cement Plant at Munster is located close to road, rail and shipping distribution centres and the company's Dongara, quicklime kiln, that has recently been completed north of Perth, is regarded as being the most sophisticated of its kind in the world, in that it incorporates the latest in environmental control technology and has large production capabilities.

Volvo Loaders a hit With Cockburn Cement Plant Operators
The two wheeled Volvo L350F loaders used at the Cockburn Cement Works are kept busy 22 hours a day loading and shifting shellsand, clinker and coal. The operators were trained to use the loaders by CJD Equipment over a two week period, an initiative that increased machine productivity and the general efficiency of the Munster operators. The training showed the operators how to not overuse the power of the machines. This enabled the same productivity levels to be maintained at lower engine revs by proper use of the loaders power shift transmission.

The Volvo L350F loaders have a 540 horsepower (397 kilowatt) D16E engine that is turbocharged and electronically controlled, with low emissions. It achieves its maximum power between 1,700 and 1,800 revs per minute. Its power shift transmission incorporates planetary features that makes for smooth shifting of gears with an automatic lock-up in second, third and fourth gears. This goes a long way in reducing fuel costs. The loaders also have load sensing hydraulics that ensures oil is pumped around the system only when its needed. This is another feature that lowers fuel costs. The loaders are also fitted with reversing cameras. The Cockburn Cement Plant at Munster has also introduced a smaller Volvo L70F loader to its fleet. This smaller machine is mainly used for cleaning up and general usage.
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