COPPER: ABB to help double mill capacity for KAZ Minerals

[caption id="attachment_1003723298" align="aligncenter" width="399"] ABB’s Ability platform and System 800xA has predictive analytics that can help drive performance and productivity gains.[/caption] KAZAKHSTAN – ABB recently won an order to deliver a comprehensive process and power solution that will double the capacity of KAZ Minerals’ sulphide ore processing plant in Aktogay. The project is the third major order from this customer and will re-use the engineering and solution configuration from the company’s two other production lines in the area. KAZ Minerals is the largest copper producer in Kazakhstan. The processing facilities in Aktogay produce copper in concentrate from a nearby open pit mine, to meet the growing global demand for copper for infrastructure, e-mobility and consumer industries, including electronics. ABB’s delivery is part of a $1.2 billion expansion that will double the current annual sulphide ore processing capability at this site from 25 million to 50 million tonnes. In addition to sulphide ore, the company also processes around 12 million t/y of oxide ore. ABB will provide its ABB Ability MineOptimize integrated process and power control solution, which includes all process control and electrification equipment and infrastructure for the plant. ABB Ability MineOptimize is a framework that encompasses engineering, systems, applications and services to help mining customers achieve the most efficient design, build and operation of any open pit, underground, mineral processing or refining facility. With digitalization at its heart, ABB Ability MineOptimize provides the ideal platform to fine tune new or existing processes to reach top performance levels. ABB’s scope of supply for this project includes its digital automation system ABB Ability System 800xA, as well as three gearless mill drive systems, and a high pressure grinding roll to grind the increased amount of ore that will be processed in this expansion. The delivery also includes distribution transformers and substations, motor control centers, medium and low voltage drives, mineral processing specific applications, and other automation and electrical equipment. Furthermore, ABB will provide project engineering, installation and commissioning services, and ongoing remote monitoring and diagnostic services. The ABB Ability MineOptimize solution will deliver numerous operational and safety benefits for this project. It will monitor, control and manage all aspects of production, access critical information from system devices and provide detailed data analytics to determine process efficiency and identify opportunities for improvement. It will also monitor and manage energy distribution and consumption at this and other KAZ Minerals sites. “This project demonstrates how best practices have been efficiently re-used at three of KAZ Minerals’ sites, and how this approach will enable fast track delivery so that our customer can start up quickly” said Roger Bailey, managing director of ABB’s process industries business unit. The new plant is scheduled for first production in late 2021. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 135,000 employees. Find the contact centre closest to your operation at www.ABB.com.