Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
Baden, Switzerland, April 4, 2013 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order for 12 complete mine hoist systems and related shaft equipment to help Uralkali, one of the world’s largest potash producers, increase its output while improving energy efficiency. The mine hoist systems will be installed in Solikams and Polovodova in Perm region, Russia.
ABB’s supply includes the mechanical hoists, skips, cages, four feeding conveyors for loading the skip hoists and electrical equipment such as medium and low voltage drives, control system as well as shaft signal system. The deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2014 and 2018.
“Reliable hoisting equipment with low energy consumption and high availability is the key to increase productivity while reducing environmental impact,” said Remy Lanoue, ABB’s global product group manager Underground Mining, Business Unit Mining. “We are proud to be chosen as a supplier of mine hoisting equipment and help Uralkali to be the most cost-efficient company in the industry.”
As the only global supplier in both mechanical and electrical parts of hoisting systems, ABB’s advanced control system, state-of-the-art drive system as well as its more than 100 years of experience in mine hoisting technology will help raise Uralkali’s production capacity to a new level. Uralkali aims to expand their production capacity to satisfy the growing demand for potash fertilizers.
In addition, thanks to some of the new hoists that will replace the existing ones, the energy consumption per ton will be reduced as much as up to 30%. The good experience with ABB’s two mine hoists installed at the company has contributed to the choice of ABB by Uralkali.
Uralkali is a vertically integrated potash producer with control over the entire production chain, from potash ore mining, through to the supply of potassium chloride to customers. Uralkali is the no. 1 potash producer by output. The company was founded in 2011 through the combination of OJSC
