• INSIGHT
The company designed the overhead catenary system ( OCS ) infrastructure and delivered a rectifier substation providing more than 12MW of DC power to the Trolley Assist system . The trolley control system is connected to the existing ABB Ability distributed control system ( DCS ) automation platform to seamlessly integrate and monitor trolley operations and energy consumption . ABB is also providing OCS components customised for mining applications .
The winning feature of the eMine is the fact that its solutions and implementation strategy is modular , allowing a client to develop a multi-year roadmap for rollouts aligned with their operational and technology lifecycles . It covers all bases from quick wins to longer , more strategic implementations , as evidenced by the broad client base and commodities catered for .
Moreover , the company ’ s services are tailored to the specific challenges of customers in the mining industry . Through remote services , predictive maintenance , upgrades and retrofits , ABB helps mining companies ensure maximum performance throughout the mine ’ s lifecycle .
Mining experts can monitor a plant remotely around the clock to maintain production . Advanced digital mining services can collect and analyse mining assets and operational data . This will assist to provide remote expert support to identify , categorise and prioritise actions , moving mines from costly and reactive time-based maintenance to planned preventive and predictive interventions .
We are committed to creating sustainable progress for today and future generations by helping our mining clients through their energy transition . The process of electrifying the entire mining ecosystem will not happen overnight and needs to take place in phases . A phased approach enables mines to immediately lower carbon footprints with a limited upfront capital investment , while simultaneously advancing progressively as technology becomes more mature , scalable and cost-effective .
To implement electrification , getting involved from an early stage is necessary to conduct the critical technology , economic , geographic , regulatory and cultural assessment through comparative simulations studies , allowing us to understand a particular mining operation , provide guidance for strategic project decisions , and thus customise the best fit for a particular mining operation . It further enhances the electrification systems based on real data while initiating triangular collaboration with different players depending on the needs , including technology providers , investors , service providers , consultants , EPC / EPCMs and OEMS . •
Mining experts can monitor a plant remotely around the clock to maintain production .”
46 • African Mining • July 2023 www . africanmining . co . za