Engineering and Mining Journal - Whether the market is copper, gold, nickel, iron ore, lead/zinc, PGM, diamonds or other commodities, E&MJ takes the lead in projecting trends, following development and reporting on the most efficient operating pr
Issue link: https://emj.epubxp.com/i/109221
SUPPLIERS REPORT tems that apply electrical parameter estimation techniques to approximate the payload, the TerraMetrix system employs a load cell-based device and directly measures the inertial and dynamic loads applied to the dipper. As a result, more accurate payload measurement is maintained, even under severe dynamic loading conditions." Configured to communicate with any third-party truck dispatch system, the Pulse TerraMetrix RS system can be applied to various brands of electric rope shovels, including P&H; and Cat models. According to the company, recent developments in the system have included a comprehensive machine health monitoring capability using strain-sensing transducers placed on the A-frame and boom structures. These transducers allow the system to track boom jacking and adverse swing events, identify alarm events and quantify the mechanical damage per swing cycle. Productivity indicators provide meaningful online feedback to the operator including average bucket/truck payload, overall shift production, swing cycle time and operating and delay times. The system developed for Teck is configured to communicate through the mine's wireless mesh network to a server located in the mine's administration offices. Data is saved in a SQL database and is accessible through a server analysis program located on the mine's intranet. This enables maintenance, training and production staff to access, process and analyze the data on a shift basis, to identify where production shortfalls arise and where further operator training is required, said BMT WBM, which is based in Brisbane, Australia. and sulphide facility in the southeast is expected to process 30 million mt of ore annually. Both mines are regarded as projects involving some of the world's largest undeveloped copper projects. ABB will supply switchyard, switch room and other electrical equipment, as well as the control system for the Bozshakol mine. This agreement follows two previous orders worth $45 million each for gearless mill drive packages, and covers the complete electrification, instrumentation and automation for both sites. The overall scope of supply includes substation and power transformers, high-voltage power factor compensation and harmonic filters, distribution transformers and transportable switch rooms, as well an Extended 800xA automation system. Installation and commissioning of the equipment at Bozshakol is scheduled for September 2013, and at Aktogay one year later. Mechel, Marubeni Sign Tire Supply Agreement Russian mining and metals company Mechel OAO has signed a five-year sup- ply agreement with Japan's Marubeni Corp. for delivery of Bridgestone mining tires. Marubeni Corp., one of Japan's largest companies, is an authorized export dealer of Bridgestone products. Mechel said it is the first Russian mining company to place long-term agreements with Marubeni for supply of giant tires. According to the supply agreements, Marubeni will provide more than 5,000 off-road tires for offroad haulers used at Mechel Group's enterprises. "These long-term contracts will help our enterprises' stable operations and improve the efficiency of production in Mechel's mining division, including implementation of our key project, development of Elga Coal Complex. Signing these contracts… is a major step for the company in further developing bilateral ties with leading Japanese industrial producers, which is aimed at consolidating Mechel's leading positions on the world market of metallurgical coals," said Mechel OAO CEO Evgeny Mikhel. Mechel's businesses include encompass four segments: mining, steel, ferroalloy and power. Kazakhmys Chooses ABB for Plant Power Components ABB has received orders worth $51 million under an agreement signed with Kazakhstan's largest copper producer, Kazakhmys PLC, to provide electrification and automation solutions for two new copper plants in Kazakhstan. Kazakhmys is the largest producer in Kazakhstan, operating 16 mines. The company's new Bozshakol sulphide complex, located in the northern part of the country, has an expected annual ore processing capacity of 30 million metric tons (mt). Its Aktogay oxide www.e-mj.com FEBRUARY 2013 • E&MJ; 85