ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced that it has won an $88 million order from Minera Petaquilla (MPSA). The order, booked in May 2008, is to deliver gearless mill drive systems to increase productivity and lower energy consumption at a new copper mine in Panama.
The Petaquilla mine is located 100km west of the Panama Canal and is one of the largest copper mining projects in the world. Its operations are anticipated to begin in 2013.
ABB’s delivery includes six complete gearless mill drive systems: two 22MW systems and four 14MW systems. The scope of supply also includes transformers, ringmotors, project engineering, installation, training and other related support services.
ABB’s gearless mill drives (giant motor and drive systems that power ore-crushing mills) are more reliable and energy efficient than traditional mill drive systems, and increase mill productivity. “As the need to optimize energy use and overall performance continues to be a priority, innovative technologies like ABB’s gearless mill drives, combined with our industry know-how and engineering resources, help new installations, like the Petaquilla mine, start operating successfully from day one,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s process automation division.
ABB delivered the world’s first gearless machine drive in 1969, which is still operating with its original converter, providing cost-effective, energy-efficient performance with proven long-term reliability.
Minera Petaquilla is managed by Inmet Mining and owned by shareholders Petaquilla Copper, Inmet and Teck Cominco.
ABB’s process automation division delivers integrated solutions for control, plant optimization, and industry-specific application knowledge and services to help process industry customers worldwide meet their critical business needs in the areas of operational profitability, capital productivity, risk management and global responsibility. These industries include oil and gas, power, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, metals, minerals, marine and turbocharging.