ABB has won an order for three complete mine hoist systems including related shaft equipment, to help Hindustan Zinc move its production at the Rampura Agucha mine from an open-pit to an underground operation. ABB states that the new hoist systems will enable Hindustan Zinc to reach and exceed their production targets. “We are glad and proud to be the first choice of Rampura Agucha. The customer chose ABB thanks to our reliable, competitive technical solutions and strong track record of mine hoists in the world”, said Fredrik Sjoholm, Regional Sales Manager for ABB’s mining unit in Vasteras, Sweden.

He adds: “This order opens up a new market for large mine hoists and paves the way for more large projects in the area of underground mining in India. The state-of-the-art technology applied on ABB’s mine hoist systems can help our customers increase their productivity and improve their safety.” ABB’s scope of supply comprises, among other things, two friction hoists and one single drum hoist including both mechanical and electrical parts. ABB will also deliver switchgears and power cables, as well as the complete shaft equipment for the mine hoists. These hoists will be delivered between 14 and 16 months after the signing of the contract which took place in June 2013.

The Rampura Agucha mine is located in Rajasthan, in the northwest of India, and is the world’s largest zinc producing mine. Reserves and resources of Rampura Agucha as of March 31, 2013, are about 109 Mt with a best-in-class zinc-lead reserves grade of 15.4%. At present the Rampura Agucha mine is producing 6.15 Mt/y from the open-pit mining operation and is treating the same in the beneficiation plant. With the present system of mining method (open-pit), the mine will be operative up to a level that is 372 m below the surface. Beyond this level the mineral reserves and resources are to be extracted by suitable underground mining methods.