Västerås, Sweden, December 18, 2003 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, said today that Newcrest Mining Ltd. has awarded ABB a contract to design and supply one complete hoist system for their Telfer mine in Western Australia.
ABB’s delivery includes both mechanical and electrical parts. The hoist is of friction type with a pulley diameter of 4.7 m and will be driven by a synchronous motor with ABB’s state-of-the-art drive system ACS 6000SD with DTC, Direct Torque Control. This drive system is network-friendly, since it does not cause any large voltage variations on the supply network and does not require any harmonic filtering.
Initially, the hoist will be equipped with a 5,600 kW synchronous motor, four head ropes and double skips with a payload of 34.5 tonnes. At a 16.25 m/s hoisting speed the hoist will be able to raise 970 t/h of ore from a depth of 1,100 m.
The hoist will be designed and manufactured for possible future duty from a depth of 1,450 m. Six head ropes will then be fitted together with skips with a payload of 45 tonnes. Another 5,600 kW motor will also be installed and the hoisting speed increased to 19 m/s.
Delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2004.
The leading Australian Mining Consultants Maunsell (formerly Mamic) is assisting Newcrest with the Contract Administration of the Telfer Project.
Along with the mine hoist ABB has been successful in winning a number of other contracts for the Telfer Project, namely two 15 MW gearless mill drives, transformers, HV switchgear, HV and LV drives and harmonic filters.
Newcrest is a leader in the exploration, development and operation of gold and copper mines. Telfer gold/copper mine is located in the northwestern region of Western Australia. Annual production is expected to be 800,000 oz of gold and 30,000 tonnes of copper over a period of more than 20 years.
ABB will contribute to Newcrest’s strategy of focusing on low-cost, long-life mines by providing this highly efficient and reliable hoist system.
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 120,000 people.