Rio Tinto hails another step closer to develop Serbian lithium mine
If developed, the $2.4 billion Jadar lithium project in Western Serbia could cover 90% of Europe's current lithium needs.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — SEPTEMBER 25, 2012— GE Intelligent Platforms (NYSE: GE) today showcased its Proficy® MaxxMine™ remote monitoring and diagnostic solution as part of the GE Mining exposition at MINExpo 2012. The MaxxMine software solution combines process and asset optimization in a single offering enabling mine operators to make timely and accurate decisions that balance process performance with equipment health.
In order to improve throughput, recovery, and availability, today’s mining companies are challenged to improve both on-site processes and equipment reliability. They simultaneously must work to minimize energy costs in a sustainable, compliant manner. The Proficy MaxxMine solution increases:
• Performance optimization: The solution improves operating results through better asset and process performance, utilization, and planning.
• Operational visibility: It helps companies get the most out of their available resources and meet production targets safely.
• Availability and reliability: It maximizes the time that equipment is reliable to produce ROA.
The solution allows for quick, planned repairs—but only when they are needed.
“The solution provides quantified productivity benefits based on proven technology that monitors more than 4,000 assets from our remote monitoring and diagnostic center in Chicago,” said Derick
Moolman, Mining Segment Leader, GE Intelligent Platforms. “Our customers report a return on investment in six to 12 months – and more than 95 percent renew their subscriptions each year.”
In a milling circuit, the Proficy MaxxMine solution calculates the optimal set points to stabilize and optimize the circuit. At the same time, it provides real-time predictive anomaly detection and diagnostics to increase asset availability and reduce maintenance costs. MaxxMine monitors the sump pump, electric motor, and gearbox, and it maximizes the lining lifetime. Therefore, the software can improve throughput from 1 to 10%, within grind quality constraints, while also minimizing specific energy consumption.
“A leading platinum smelter in South Africa had a dryer unit operation at one of its facilities which was identified as a bottleneck in the production process,” explained Moolman. “A variety of interdependencies in the plant led to instability and excessive stop-start situations. Using the Proficy MaxxMine solution, the plant stabilized the process, significantly reducing energy waste and increasing throughput by 25 percent.”
The Proficy MaxxMine solution is part of the comprehensive portfolio of solutions and services offered by GE Mining, a GE business that utilizes the people, technologies and products from across GE to help its customers solve their toughest mining challenges.
For more information visit our GE Intelligent Platforms website. Proficy MaxxMine will also be available at the GE Mining booth at MINExpo at the Las Vegas Convention Center (#7371).
