Australasian Smelter Services and Supply Pty Ltd is both a Service Supplier Undertaking Machining Operations on behalf of the 5 Australasian Smelters, and a Manufacturer/Supplier of:
- Composite Copper/Steel Cathode Bars (CCCBs)
- Ready to Install (RTI) “Rodded” Cathode Assemblies
The Company also undertakes the Recycling of Spent CCCBs, which Process Recovers
- the Copper Component for Refining and
- the Steel Cast Iron Component which is used in the “Sealing/Rodding” of New Cathode.
THE COMPANY
A.S.S.S. resides within the Works of CBMR Pty Ltd & DHDS Pty Ltd (formerly Metal Drilling Pty Ltd) which is a Sophisticated Machine Shop that has been engaged in the business of Deep Hole Drilling for 20 years. Seven years ago, an Iron Foundry Type Operation was installed, dedicated to Cast Iron Sealing of Cathode Assemblies.
Company History
2001 Metal Drilling Pty Ltd was established with two Modified Machines to perform Deep Hole Drilling.
2003 Cathode related operations commenced, when Alcoa Portland approached Metal Drilling to undertake a trial production of Copper Cored Cathode Bars (CCCBs) with imported Copper, and Australian 1006 Grade Steel.
2005 Commenced production of fully Finished CCCBs for Alcoa Portland and Point Henry Smelters using Australian Steel.
2013 Metal Drilling commenced Cast Iron Rodding (CIR) of Cathode Assemblies for both Portland and Point Henry. The Company became the Sole Supplier of CCCBs and Sealed Cathode Assemblies to the two Australian Alcoa smelters, utilising Australian 1006 Grade Steel and Imported Copper Inserts.
2014 Metal Drilling commenced production of CCCBs for the 4 Rio Tinto Alcan-Pacific Aluminium Smelters, utilising imported Steel and Copper, purchased by the Smelter Clients and provided FOC to Metal Drilling.
2015 Metal Drilling relocated to the former site of the Comalco Research Centre – Rio Tinto Research Pilot Plant - Edgars Road, Thomastown Melbourne.
2016 Metal Drilling founded Cathode Bar Metal Recovery - CBMR Pty Ltd and commenced separating Copper and Steel from Spent CCCBs. This Division of the Company Produces Copper for Refining and Cast Iron for Cathode and Anode Rodding Operations from Spent CCCBs.
2020 The Company grouped the Smelter Support activities into Australasian Smelter Services and Supply Pty Ltd, in association with Warren Mockler leading to his appointment as Business Development and Marketing Manager for the newly formed ASSS Pty Ltd
The supply side of ASSS will utilise Australian Flame Cut Steel, processed within ASSS to meet RTA, AP and Dubal Technologies Steel Bar Specifications with purchased Copper materials to manufacture and sell finished CCCBs, CPCBs, and Cathode Assemblies fitted with CuCBs into the ANZ and Export markets.
2022
The first of two ABB IRB8700-800Kg pay load robots installed and commissioned. The Robots Manage the Processing of the Cathode/Collector Bars through the Drilling and Machining Centre. They commence by loading the Drilling Machines from an as received Pallet of Raw Steel Bars, and Finish by placing the finished “Cored” Steel Bars onto another Pallet. The Installation of the Robots greatly increases the productivity of the operation as well as improving the Occupation Health and Safety aspects, particularly with regard to the Handling of “Large Heavy (500KG) Steel Bars.”
