Project

Bringing Gold Production into Kyrgyzstan

To eliminate exporting ore for processing and enable gold production within Kyrgyzstan, a decision was made in 2018 to build a gold plant in the mountainous Talas region, nearby the Dzhamgyr mine. The USD 75 million project included constructing the main building, a crushing and screening complex, a laboratory, storage pond, tailings storage facility, poison and ore storage areas, shift camps for operating personnel, and new roadways and accesses. AAEngineering delivered the winning bid for this engineering, procurement, and construction project that was located in a dangerously seismic area. In addition to the altitude and seismicity complications, AAEngineering had to overcome technical, engineering, and coordination challenges, as well as meet strict environmental standards amid a short construction period and an ensuing global pandemic.

Streamlining Workflows and Optimizing Decision-making

AAEngineering realized that it needed to use digital technology from the onset of this project to present the client with several design options, along with an economic analysis for each alternative. This method would demonstrate their ability to deliver the project in accordance with the contract requirements. However, to execute their accepted proposal, their software also needed to forecast avalanches and landslides that are prevalent in the area to ensure safe construction and installation, as well as allow for materials delivery along winding, sloping roads within the limited construction timeframe. They sought to simultaneously perform multidiscipline design and construction, and recognized that they would need to establish a connected data environment to streamline workflows and perform integrated, accurate modeling and analysis to make timely and informed decisions.

Solution

Open Applications Provide Integrated Solution

AAEngineering selected ProjectWise as the coordinated platform, combining it with Bentley’s integrated digital applications in a cloud-based environment to share project information and optimize communication and scheduling among 500 work sites. They also used ContextCapture to develop the basis of a digital terrain model. With OpenRoads Designer, they modeled the facility construction sites and access roads, defining maximum safe traffic speeds and visibility zones, critical in the highlands. PLAXIS provided the geotechnical analysis necessary for ensuring stability of the tailings and storage pond dams, while the interoperability of OpenBuildings Designer facilitated structural and architectural design. Integrating the Bentley iTwin platform and SYNCHRO enabled all project stakeholders to understand the scale and complexity of construction, and allowed for simultaneous design and construction.

Digitalization Drives New Standards

Using Bentley’s open modeling applications saved AAEngineering 30% in design and construction time and up to USD 2 million in costs. Leveraging ProjectWise and Bentley’s digital twin technology in a connected data environment streamlined communication and design review among the geographically dispersed team, reducing time and costs associated with business travel. Performing construction simulation resulted in construction completion and commissioning ahead of schedule, providing additional dividends for the client. Based on the successful application of information modeling and digital twin technology, AAEngineering achieved competitive advantages and established themselves as a regional leader in the industry. Through digitalization, they have transformed their conventional engineering approach, making advanced digital practices a company standard and requirement for subcontractors working with them in the future.