ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order to provide three single pinion high-speed mill drive systems for the Western Range iron ore greenfield project in Liberia, West Africa.
The Western Range greenfield mine, owned by ArcelorMittal, is an open-pit iron ore mine located just out outside of Yekepa, a mining town in northern Liberia close to the Guinean border.
The scope of supply includes three 7.4MW squirrel cage induction motors, ACS6000 frequency converters with mill application controller and remote diagnostic facilities, transformers, medium voltage cubicles, chiller units and system engineering for 3×30 foot diameter semiautogenous (SAG) mills.
ABB’s variable-speed ring-geared mill drive (RMD) solutions are designed for reliable, long-life and low maintenance operation. The proven technology optimizes the grinding process, which makes it ideal for ores with varying grinding properties. In addition to high system efficiency, availability and process reliability, the variable-speed drive also provides significant energy and operating cost savings by using less electricity than a conventional fixed-speed mill drive.
ABB’s innovative energy efficient RMD technology, combined with the extensive industry knowledge and grinding references were significant factors for winning this order.
The contract was awarded in May 2012 by CITIC Heavy Industries Co. Ltd, one of the world’s leading suppliers of grinding mills and crushers to the mining industry. Deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of 2013.
ArcelorMittal is the world’s largest steel and mining company, with operations in more than 60 countries and entered the Liberian mining market in 2005.