February 15, 2011 - ABB won an order worth $47 million from Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco), the world’s biggest copper producer, to provide gearless mill drives and electrical systems to increase productivity and lower energy consumption at a new mine in northern Chile. Codelco’s major investment includes a new open pit mine and concentrator that is expected to produce 170,000 metric tons of fine copper per year. The Mina Ministro Hales mine is scheduled to start production in 2013 and will be located 6 kilometers north of Calama, at an altitude of 3,000 meters, in the Atacama desert. ABB’s gearless ore-crushing mill drives are more reliable and energy efficient than traditional mill systems, providing increased productivity.
The scope of supply includes three drive systems, one 12 megawatt (MW) system and two 8.9 MW systems. In addition, the order includes 220 kilovolt (kV) gas insulated switchgear, and three containerized rooms to house 23kV gas insulated switchgear, auxiliary services and power transformers as well as project engineering, installation and training. “Our comprehensive automation and electrical infrastructure offerings, combined with industry specific expertise, help our customers establish a strong foundation for energy efficiency as well as increase reliability and productivity,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division.
“ABB pioneered the development of gearless mill drives that address the production challenges faced by mine operators.” The world’s first gearless mill drive was delivered by ABB in 1969 and is still in operation providing cost-effective, energy-efficient performance with proven long-term reliability. ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 124,000 people.