CONVEYING
The C2S conveyor at Oyu Tolgoi is now up and running
involvement with the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Project began in April 2015 , when it provided mine restart support services . In June 2016 , it was then appointed to provide EPCM services for Oyu Tolgoi ’ s materials-handling systems and associated surface and underground infrastructure .
To detail some of the other companies involved , the main conveyor contract was originally awarded to thyssenkrupp in 2017 , whose mining business was then sold to FLSmidth in 2022 . The main components were four high-lift conveyors , each equipped with 1.6 m wide steel cord belts and dual 5,500 kW gearless drives from Siemens , and one of these Siemens drives can be seen in the latest video . Siemens has also supplied a range of other electrical equipment such as transformers and switchgear as well as E-houses .
Siemens spun off its large drives business , including those for mining , in 2023 to new company Innomotics and its ASEAN & Taiwan CEO based in Singapore , Christian Dirscherl said recently of the project : “ Innomotics is playing a key role in the implementation of our gearless conveyor drives in a cutting-edge underground material handling system at Oyu Tolgoi . This system will efficiently transport 95,000 tons of copper ore daily to the surface . Proud to be part of this innovative project .”
Ampcontrol has supplied a full range of electrical equipment to power the mine including jumbo , pump and fan starters , substations and distribution control boards . It has also provided a range of electronic monitoring equipment including iMAC conveyor control equipment . ABB has supplied motor solutions plus electrical installation services . US company Syntron Material Handling and Australia ’ s Belle Banne Conveyor Products have supplied the key conveyor components including rollers / idlers , belt cleaners and pulleys . Dellner Bubenzer is a major conveyor braking systems supplier . Tavan Ord supplies fire safety systems and is a distributor for Tyco and Energy International is a specialised energy consultancy .
Sempertrans has also made a significant contribution to the project , supplying nearly 21 km of conveyor belts . This includes approximately 15 km of its advanced ST6300
Transevo belts , which it says are known for their low rolling resistance and exceptional durability .
Sempertrans told IM that its commitment to quality extends beyond product delivery , adding that its dedicated supervisors were on-site to ensure the precise splicing of most of the belts , ensuring optimal performance and reliability .
In its Q4 2024 Operations Review , Rio Tinto confirmed that the first ore on the conveyor to surface belt was achieved in October 2024 , with the conveyor system now able to transport ore to the surface from a depth of 1,300 m . Load and production testing of the conveyor system is progressing .
Oyu Tolgoi has now opened a total of 124 drawbells from Panel 0 of the underground mine , including four during the fourth quarter . During the quarter , the operation delivered 2.1 Mt of milled ore from the underground mine at an average copper head grade of 1.96 % and 8.9 million tonnes from the open pit with an average grade of 0.43 %. The ramp-up remains on track to reach 500,000 t of copper per year ( 100 % basis and stated as recoverable metal ) for the underground and open pit mines for the years 2028 to 2036 .
Meeting Chile ’ s copper ore material handling needs
South African structural steel fabrication contractor VIVA Engineering , based in Kempton Park , Gauteng , has played a major role as the constructor of 13 extra heavy duty belt feeders for client Virta Inc , the materials handling and conveying systems and technology specialist which is owned by EPCM major Fluor . The feeders form part of the bulk materials handling scope of a huge copper mine expansion project in Chile that was given the green light in December 2023 , with Virta having been awarded contracts for both feeders and conveyors .
The 1,829 mm x 17 m long belt feeders were designed by Virta Inc and constructed at VIVA Engineering then shipped to Chile , where they will be used to handle extraction of copper ore underneath the main ROM stockpiles . The VIVA scope included feed chutes , skirts , discharge chutes , and the mainframe . The feeders use an all welded construction for maximum strength .
Virta states : “ A project like this – from detailing and fabrication through pre-assembly , belt splicing and modular transport – was initially envisioned to require up to nine months , yet with world-class team dedication , collaboration and Virta ’ s partnerships with VIVA , Lorbrand , and Sempertrans , we completed the full scope in about six months .”
Each feeder was structurally engineered not only for its operating application but also for strength and rigidity under unitised lifting , as each unit makes its way by truck , then ship , then truck to the site in Chile . The feeders were loaded onto the trucks in the VIVA yard with a 220 t crane .
Virta was awarded the design , supply , preassembly and delivery of three types of feeders ( 11 initially then increased to 13 ) for handling of coarse , intermediate and fine ore . The scope included all mechanical and structural engineering , DEM chute design , steel fabrication ( frames , hoppers , chutes , spile bars ) and supply of all idlers , pulleys , belt and hydraulic drives . Structural engineering included strict adherence to Chilean design codes for operation in one of the most seismically active areas in the world .
Major equipment includes Lorbrand pulleys and idlers , Hagglunds hydraulic drives ranging from 400 to 550 kNm torque , and Sempertrans ST4000 and ST4500 steel-cord conveyor belt imported into South Africa from Poland .
Virta says it partnered with the VIVA team to perform steel detailing , 3D modelling , fabrication , pre-assembly , rigging and logistics coordination . The VIVA logistics team managed
Feeders at VIVA Engineering in South Africa before shipping to a major copper ore handling project in Chile where Virta has the contract for both conveyors and feeders
40 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2025