ABB will upgrade the mine hoist at KGHM’s Lubin copper mine in southwest Poland, which is in one of the oldest mines in the Polish Copper Zone. The comprehensive modernisation project will enhance the safety level, reliability and availability of the hoist installation, while reducing the work cycle cost. Mine owner KGHM Polska Miedź SA is one of the world’s leading producers of copper and silver with over 70 entities located in Europe, North America and South America. It operates 10 plants in Poland, in both the mining and metallurgy industries.
ABB states: “The mine hoist is a key part any mine shaft. It is mainly used to transport excavated materials, so unscheduled downtimes may result in significant financial loss to the operator. The mine hoist at the L-II ZACH shaft has been operating since the 1970s; its last upgrade was done by ABB more than 20 years ago. The past two decades were a time of intensive development in the mining industry. Today’s new technologies can increase the output of the mine hoists, facilitate deeper mining, improve overall safety and help control growing operational costs.”
ABB will modernise the electrical systems as well as the control system for the mine hoist to optimize energy consumption, availability and safety. The scope of delivery includes the main motor, DCS800 drives, transformers, switchgear, as well as break and signal systems. The control system will be upgraded with ABB Ability System 800xA AC 800 controllers that will provide fast digital communication, interoperability and remote monitoring.
Since high temperatures are a significant factor for mine hoist operations, ABB will also install special-purpose platforms with efficient cooling systems, designed to work independently in extreme industrial conditions. ABB will carry out the modernisation project in the second quarter of 2018, during a planned shutdown of the facility. The project execution time is extremely short, with all core components to be installed within just a few days.
“Working with this challenging delivery timeline, and implementing the latest digital technologies for this customer, underscore ABB’s commitment to delivering the best solutions, technologies, and industry expertise that will help our customers succeed,” said Maciej Janowicz from the Industrial Automation Division, ABB Poland.
The modernisation of the mine hoist at the Lubin copper mine the latest large project delivered by ABB for the Polish mining market. Earlier projects included the modernisation of, as well as new turn-key deliveries of complete mine hoists, such as in the Rudna Copper Mine in Polkowice, Poland.
The Lubin copper mine, located in Poland’s region of Lower Silesia, has operated since 1968. The mine uses seven shafts, one of which is used for extracting ore and reaches up to 963 m of depth. The rich polymetallic deposits within the area contain copper and silver, as well as minor amounts of nickel, cobalt and molybdenum.
