Case Study: Vale Inco achieves ahead-of-schedule, millimeter-accurate runway resurfacing with Trimble

Thiess Accelerates Runway Resurfacing Project for Indonesia Airport with Trimble

PT Thiess Indonesia was contracted by Vale to resurface the runway at Soroako Airport in central Sulawesi, a vital transport link for the mining region and local community. The scope—cement stabilization, re-grade, trim work, chip seal and marking—needed to be completed in roughly two weeks instead of the typical month, with tight accuracy tolerances and little room for rework despite adverse weather.

Thiess partnered with SITECH to deploy Trimble solutions (SPS930 Universal Total Station, GCS900 grade control, Business Center - HCE and SCS900 field software) on a motor grader and for site survey. The system delivered repeatable blade accuracy of ±3 mm, eliminated extensive manual stakeout, reduced passes and material waste, and allowed the team to finish ahead of schedule and on budget with no extra material purchased—preserving community access and improving confidence for future projects.

Vale Inco