ABB wins major grinding drive systems order for Cerro Verde expansion in Peru

ABB, a power and automation technology group was recently contracted to supply gearless mill drives (GMDs) for six ball mills and twin-drive systems for eight high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs) at Cerro Verde copper mine in Peru. The two contracts were awarded in the first quarter of 2012. Deliveries are scheduled for Q4 2013 and Q1 2014.
ABB?s scope of supply includes six 22 MW GMD systems for 27-foot ball mills comprising of transformers, ring motors and complete containerized electrical houses as well as eight 2x2500kW twin-drive systems for HPGRs that include squirrel cage induction motors, transformers and ACS1000 frequency converters.
Known as the most efficient systems for grinding mills, ABB?s powerful, state-of-the-art GMDs help mine operators improve overall productivity while providing reliable equipment performance and flexibility.
Each of the six GMDs will be equipped with two of ABB’s unique rotating air gap sensors, which together with the 12 standard air gap sensors on the stator will give a true 360 degree overview of the stator and rotor.  Whereas the HPGR drive systems work in accordance with the high demanding requirements for such machines without using tachometers or encoders.
ABB already supplied mine electrification and various drive systems, also including GMDs and HPGR drives, for the previous greenfield Cerro Verde project in 2006.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.