Following a major fan installation in 2020 at the Prominent Hill underground Malu operation, OZ Minerals has once again appointed Zitron Australia Pty Ltd to design and manufacture a new primary underground ventilation system at the world class Prominent Hill copper-gold mine. The chosen tailor-made system will be powered by two high-pressure axial fans, each having a 3,800 mm diameter impeller and total installed motor power of 3,400 kW.

Since 2014, ZITRÓN has been delivering underground axial fan primary ventilation systems to OZ Minerals. After the installation of the new fans, which is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2022, the total installed power of Zitron Australia Pty Ltd primary fans operating at the Prominent Hill mine will be 8.6 MW. The contract will see ZITRÓN carry out a complete fan performance test in the company’s AMCA-accredited test bench, the largest in the world for axial fan testing. All the fan performance parameters will be tested (flow, pressure, efficiency, vibrations, temperature) when the fan is run at its nominal speed and projected working conditions, in line with the resistance levels nominated in the project specification.

OZ Minerals announced Board approval for the A$600 million Prominent Hill Wira Shaft mine expansion in August 2021, since when a number of key contracts have been awarded including the detailed design for the projects major infrastructure works packages, the shaft sinking contract (to mining contracting major Byrnecut), the headframe fabrication contract, the shaft collar and associated works plus a number of smaller early works enabling packages. The shaft collar construction site works are due for completion in January 2022.