A variety of minerals have been successfully transported for many years via pipeline, over distances ranging from a few kilometres to 400-plus kilometres. However, until this project, bauxite had not been one. But Ausenco PSI's design of the world’s first long-distance bauxite pipeline in the State of Para, Brazil – and its successful commissioning in 2007 – put the hard-to-transport myth to rest once and for all.

Ausenco PSI's scope of work included conceptual engineering design, laboratory testing, basic and detailed engineering, pipeline construction management, operator training, start-up and commissioning, and operation and maintenance assistance.

Originally designed to transport 8.0 Mtpya of bauxite ore, the 244 kilometre, 24 inch diameter pipeline system has the capacity to transport up to 13.5 Mtpa. This project proved beyond doubt that not only was a hydrotransport bauxite ore system feasible – it was reliable and economically viable.