Empowering Faltering Nations back to Prosperity

Sierra Leone Ship loading facility

The Pepel Transhipment Facility Upgrade and Rebirth project exemplifies innovation, precision, and resilience in delivering industrial infrastructure solutions under extreme constraints. Tasked with retrofitting a long-abandoned transshipment facility in Sierra Leone, Qfactor overcame logistical, structural, and operational challenges to deliver a fully functional system within record time and under budget.

Project NamePepel Transhipment Facility Upgrade and Rebirth
Client CompanyLondon Mining Ltd
Project TypeCapital Project – Industrial Process
Project Value$22m
Project Start AND PROJECT FINISH2009 – 2010
Strategic ObjectiveTo rehabilitate and retrofit an abandoned transshipment facility, enabling it to resume iron ore export operations and kick-start Sierra Leone’s iron ore industry.
The Challenge / NeedThe facility had been non-operational for 25 years due to the Civil War, with no maintenance. The client required a rapid retrofit within an ambitious nine-month timeframe, 4,000 km from Qfactor’s operational base, while meeting stringent quality, safety, and operational metrics.
Our Approach– Conducted a Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical (SME) assessment of the facility.
– Developed a comprehensive project execution plan tailored to site-specific design criteria.
– Led custom design, fabrication, erection, and commissioning phases.
– Collaborated with specialist engineers and teams for accelerated delivery.
Solution & Key Deliverables– Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical upgrades.
– Retrofit and commissioning of transshipment facility.
– Accelerated execution timeline (first ore shipped within 26 days).
– Delivered project under budget by 3% while meeting all quality metrics on the first attempt.
Risks and Challenges– Remote project site located 4,000 km from Johannesburg.
– Facility remained non-functional and unmaintained for 25 years.
– Tight nine-month project timeframe.
– Logistical complexities with international procurement and mobilization of skilled labor.
Result / Outcome– Facility operational within 26 days of site mobilization.
– First shipment of hematite iron ore successfully delivered to a European buyer.
– Project delivered under budget and met quality standards on the first attempt.
Our Value-Added Differentiator– Expertise in remote, high-risk industrial retrofitting projects.
– Agile project management ensuring accelerated timelines and budget control.
– Collaborative approach integrating multi-disciplinary teams.
– Delivered operational readiness with zero compromise on safety and quality.