Muchinga Feasibility Studies ~ Still Moments Volume II

Engineer Fabio having lunch @ Mwomboshi near MPS ~ 25/6/2011

Geologist Cacia @ Lunch time June 2011

Geologist Cacia, Engineer Francesco, NMK and Engineer Katongo June 2011

NMK, Engineer Birindelli, Engineer Pietrangeli and Engineer Fabio ~ 26 June 2011

Geologist Cacialini and Me @ LPS in the Insaka enjoying some cold Mosi Lager

Security was a necessity.

Shiwaana, Fabio, Cacialini, Antonio and Engineer Birindelli near Mulungushi Boat Club

Engineers Birindelli, Lino, Alberto, Kamanga and Chibwe @ Mita Hills Dam Intake Tower ~22 Nov 2010

Lino, Nathan and Marianeve @ Muchinga Escarpment ~ 22 July 2011

En-route to Muchinga.. Crossing the Mkushi River

Dr. Pontillo (Hydraulic and hydrology expert), Lino and geologist Cacia analyzing rock specimens at the future Mkushi Dam while I look on..

The sleeping quarters inside a tent @ Muchinga Escarpment

The convoy on the way to Muchinga

Marianeve crossing the Mkushi River. The make shift bridge was constructed by Lino and Edmo.

This was after crossing a part of a river where we couldn't find any logs for a makeshift bridge.

Lino and Edmo constructing a bridge ~ 10 July 2011

The geologist crosses the bridge.

Era ora cibo!! Supper at Muchinga Escarpment ~21 July 2011

Lino and Marianeve getting ready for the walk.

At Mita Hills Dam ~ 22 Nov 2010

Mr. Pasqualino Serrao at Mita Hills Dam

Those days when you wish you could walk on water ~ 9 July 2011

Geologist Cacia crossing the Mkushi River.

On Mkushi River with Davide and Lino

Lunch at the Timber houses. Rest in peace Robert (Bob) Ndesaula.

Body Mubili driving to Muchinga

At Chief Chembe's village in Luano Valley ~ 16 Nov 2010

Davide, Lino and me on the Mkushi Bridge

Me, Engineer Chibwe and Edmo (Human GPS) 15 Nov 2010

The camp site on top of Muchinga Escarpment

Gearing up for the walk.

Engineers Chibwe and Kamanga at Mkushi Dam site exchanging notes.11/11/2010

Dr. Pontillo during the crossing.

Mubili, Davide and Engineer Chibwe.

NMK and Engineer Kamanga after climbing up the Muchinga escarpment. 550m vertical height!! I deserve to sweat like I was playing Rugby.

LPS No.4 Penstock Route Excavation



Plate 1.1: The Completed Excavated Route (On L.H.S)

 

Plate 1.2: Protection of Existing operational Pipes/Penstocks

Plate 1.3: Protection Detail



Plate 1.4: Applying of Expansive Chemical (I am the guy with the stuff)

Plate 1.5: After Application



Plate 1.6: The Following Day after the Reaction



Plate 1.8: The Expansive Chemical Utilized- Fract.Ag



Matters of safety are always very important especially when the risk for fatalities is high. This sign was hand written by Mr. C. Ndesaula right here at Lunsemfwa. Many thanks to him indeed.Our safety record so far has been really good with no fatalities. Each and every day we are learning more about safety, health and environmental issues.  These are then being systematically applied during all operation and project works.



Plate 1.9: Compressor used for Pneumatic Air- Drilling Equipment

Plate 2.0: The Initial Site

Plate 2.1: The Site- 23/11/2011

The slides above show an excavated section along our Penstock route. LHPC is currently installing a new 1 X 6MW turbine to increase the power generation at LPS to 24MW from the current 18MW.
The project has a total budget of close to US$9m.
To achieve this a new pipe is being installed and this is the same size (1.2m D) as the existing ones (the 3 pipes shown above). Hence there will be a total of 4 pipes once works are completed.
On 21st April, 2010, we hence set out to excavate this section while baring in mind that the 3 operational pipes were to be protected from rock debris.
The works took a better part of 10 months and now the site is ready and I cant wait to upload more pictures once the pipe is placed.
A great many thanks to the rock breaking crew for the courage during these works as this is not flat and easy ground.
My thanks to management at LHPC for bearing with us when we couldn't achieve targets on time, for supplying us with every bit of equipment we required and the steadfast encouragement.

Cheers and warm regards,

NMK

LHPC- Lunsemfwa Hydro-Power Co.

LPS- Lunsemfwa Power Station

L.H.S- Left Hand Side

D- Outer Diameter