For release on:
20 October 2008
For Media Inquires
Pamela Green
+1-610-356-4000 x7030
Pamela.Green@pmi.com
Alison Cox Edelman
+1-214-443-7563
alison.cox@edelman.com
DENVER, COLORADO, USA—Hatch Ltd. has been awarded the Project Management Institute (PMI) Project of the Year Award for its expansion of Quebec Iron and Titanium’s (QIT) Upgraded Slag (UGS) plant in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada. Following an extensive selection process, Hatch’s project was selected from a host of successfully completed projects from around the world. This award recognizes the accomplishments of a project and the involved project team for superior performance and execution of exemplary project management.
QIT’s metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy is the only one of its kind in the world. Nine furnaces feed several interconnected production lines. Smelted ore is either transformed into titanium dioxide and iron or transported to plants for further processing. The resulting products are used as raw materials by pigment producers, metal-casting and the automotive industry.
QIT commissioned Hatch to add an additional production line to the Acid Leaching Plant (ALP) and the Slag Preparation Plant (SPP) in order to meet growing demand. Hatch Ltd. was responsible for consulting, engineering, developing information systems, and project and construction management. The expansion raised the UGS plant production capacity to more than 375 metric tons per year, an increase of 15 percent. The project was the continuation of a QIT investment program of several hundred million dollars designed to strengthen its ongoing efforts to reduce cost and improve quality
The project was completed three months ahead of schedule and saved CA$15 million. During the project, no lost-time accident occurred in 525,000 hours worked.
“Organizations around the world are feeling the pressure of needing to accomplish more with fewer resources,” said Gregory Balestrero, president and CEO of PMI. “Through excellent execution of this project, Hatch turned three months of project time into three months of production time for QIT. Not only did the project save CA$15 million, but those extra months translate to three months of revenue-building activity.”
The 2008 Project of the Year award was presented on 18 October during the PMI Awards Ceremony at PMI® Global Congress 2008—North America in Denver.
About Hatch Ltd.
Hatch Ltd. supplies processes and business consulting, information technology, engineering, and project and construction management to the mining, metallurgical, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure industries. Hatch is a private, employee-owned company. Our international client base is served by more than 8,700 Hatch professionals in more than 60 offices worldwide. An international leader in its field, it provides consulting, engineering, information systems, and project and construction management services. Hatch gives a high priority to health and safety, technical excellence, innovation, reliability and sustainable development.
About Quebec Iron and Titanium
QIT-Fer et Titane plays a leading role in the Canadian mining and metallurgical industry. In business since 1950, it is a Quebec-based company that is recognized as a world leader in the production of titanium dioxide feed stock. It also enjoys international renown for the exceptional quality of its iron and steel. QIT belongs to the Rio Tinto Group, a leader in mining.
About Project Management Institute (PMI)
Project Management Institute (pmi.org) is the leading advocate for the project management profession globally. Founded in 1969, PMI has more than 400,000 members and credential holders in 174 countries. PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential is recognized as the only globally transferable credential in project management.