Zurich, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2008 - ABB won a $15 million order to provide six thyristor rectifier plants and related engineering and commissioning services for a new copper and cobalt refinery in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC.) This project is a joint venture between Nikanor and the DRC government, to rehabilitate the Komoto Oliveira Virgule (KOV) mine, which contains one of the world’s richest large scale copper and cobalt deposits.Nikanor is a mining group with assets in the heart of the African copperbelt in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the KOV mine, they are building a state-of-the-art refining plant to produce 250,000 tons of LME A-grade copper cathode and 27,500 tons of cobalt products per year.
When completed, it will be one of the largest solvent extraction – electro-winning (SX-EW) refineries in the world. The copper and cobalt refining process requires a large amount of power and reliable supply. ABB will provide thyristor rectifier plants that will convert available AC power from the local utility to the DC power needed for the refining processes, and distribute it throughout the refinery. ABB’s solution for this site will ensure that the refinery has a dependable power supply for optimal process availability and reliability with maximum energy efficiency.The Group’s operations in South Africa will deliver and manage ABB’s portion of the project.
The scope of supply includes the design, engineering, installation supervision and commissioning of six 52kA 225V DC rectifier plants. ABB will also provide Fiber Optic Current Sensors (FOCS), DC Isolators, Power Factor Correction and Harmonic filter plants and 66kV isolators. The majority of the equipment to be supplied by ABB will be manufactured in South Africa.
“We look forward to using our proven technologies and leading experience in electrical equipment to provide Nikanor with reliable and efficient products and solutions,” Carlos Pone, CEO, ABB South Africa.Construction for the project started in early 2007, with completion scheduled for 2009.ABB in Southern Africa employs close to 2,800 people and has operations in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
ABB South Africa manufactures and supplies power and automation technology products and specializes in electricity infrastructure and industrial automation projects.ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 110,000 people.