ABB has won an order to provide two dual pinion high-speed ring-geared mill drive systems for the Katanga expansion, in the Province of Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The contract was awarded by FLSmidth and first deliveries are scheduled for Q1, 2014. The scope of supply includes two 4.75 MW wound rotor induction motors.

There are also ACS6000 frequency converters with mill application controller and remote diagnostic facilities, transformers, medium voltage cubicles and engineering for one 23’ diameter run-of-mine ball mill, designed and supplied by FLSmidth.

ABB says its ring-geared mill drive (RMD) solutions are “designed for reliable, long-life and low maintenance operation. Features include real time frozen charge protection, the frozen charge remover function, controlled roll back, positioning without an additional drive and variable-speed. These features and drive characteristics enable smooth mill operation, reduce maintenance needs, increase energy efficiency and availability of the complete production line. Thus optimising the grinding process and making it ideal for ores with varying grinding properties. In addition end-users benefit from operating cost savings as it uses less electricity than a conventional fixed-speed mill drive.”

Katanga Mining, majority owned by Glencore Xstrata, operates this large-scale copper-cobalt complex. Its assets include the Kamoto underground mine and KOV open pit, providing sulphide and oxide ores respectively; and the Kamoto concentrator and Luilu metallurgical plant for the onsite production of refined copper and cobalt. Katanga also has a number of other mines and plants.