ABB to supply gearless mill drive systems in Kazakhstan

November 23, 2010 ABB won an order from Aker Solutions for the delivery of three gearless mill drive (GMD) systems for Kazakhmys PLC's Bozshakol copper project, located near the town of Ekibastuz in north eastern Kazakhstan. The order was booked in July 2010.

These will be the first ABB GMD systems delivered in the CIS region (Commonwealth of Independent States).

Production start is scheduled to take place in 2015. Bozshakol will incorporate a conventional copper concentrator plant, with expected throughput of 25 million tonnes per annum.

ABB's scope of supply consists of three complete GMD systems including transformers, ringmotors and containerized E-houses. One system will be installed on a 40 ft SAG (semiautogenous) mill with a power of 28 MW. The SAG mill will be equipped with the new ABB 18-pulse cycloconverter. The additional two GMD systems will be installed on 28 ft ball mills rated with a power of 22 MW. The scope of supply also includes spare parts, commissioning support and training.

GMDs provide maximum control over the grinding process and allow for adjustments, meeting customer requirements for process efficiency and flexibility. ABB gearless mill drive systems provide improved energy efficiency, superior reliability, increased process availability, and an extended life span for all equipment. They allow bi-directional operation, have integrated frozen charge protection and offer automatic positioning and creeping without an auxiliary drive.

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 117,000 people.