B&R Enclosures Protect FMG’s MAR Control Systems
B&R worked closely with TechSys Corporation to deliver a robust enclosure solution for FMG’s Managed Aquifer Re-Injection (MAR) systems – installations that must operate reliably in some of the harshest environmental conditions in Australia. From the outset, B&R’s role was to engineer a customised enclosure capable of protecting complex electrical and electronic equipment exposed to extreme temperatures, dust, saline moisture, cyclones, and constant UV exposure at FMG’s Pilbara mine sites.
To meet these demands, B&R designed a rugged IP66 2mm powdercoated aluminium enclosure, tailored specifically for TechSys’ control system architecture. Additional design features including external heat shields to combat temperatures exceeding 50 °C were incorporated to significantly reduce internal thermal load and safeguard sensitive components. Each panel is mounted on a concrete base and paired with solar arrays and battery back-up, ensuring reliable operation in remote, off-grid environments where maintenance access is limited.
This enclosure solution formed the backbone of TechSys Corporation’s advanced control panels, which manage the re-injection of groundwater back into natural aquifer systems. MAR is a critical process for FMG, enabling groundwater to be temporarily removed to support ore extraction and then safely transferred to a separate aquifer to maintain natural water levels. TechSys’ control systems, fully contained within the B&R enclosures, use remote SCADA access and telemetry to monitor flow rate, pressure and water levels with precision.
The success of this project is defined not only by the resilience of the equipment but by the environmental outcomes achieved. The integrated system manages large-scale groundwater transfer with zero discharge into nearby creeks or the fragile wetland ecosystem of the Fortescue Marsh. Over more than two years of operation, the joint B&R and TechSys solution has consistently maintained aquifer balance while meeting stringent regulatory requirements.
TechSys engineers undertook installation and integration of the equipment onsite, working in temperatures ranging from –10 °C to +50 °C, in remote desert environments, during storms, dust events and intense sunlight. The durability and reliability of the B&R enclosures ensured that the control and telemetry systems could perform flawlessly under these challenging conditions.
“TechSys Corporation and B&R have enjoyed a long and successful relationship. B&R played a key role in engineering the enclosure for the MAR project and worked closely with us to solve challenges along the way. Their technical support is fast, thorough, and goes above our expectations, across this project and many others. We trust the team, appreciate their commitment, and enjoy being able to share a laugh while getting the job done.”
