ABB has won an order to supply gearless mill drive (GMD) systems to power two grinding mills at the Serra Azul iron ore mine in southeast Brazil.
The mine, owned by MMX Mineração e Metálicos, has a current production capacity of 8.7 million metric tons of iron ore per year, but is expanding and is expected to increase annual iron ore processing capacity to more than 24 million mt/y by 2015, allowing MMX to triple its output at Serra Azul. MMX Mineração e Metálicos, part of the EBX Group, operates and owns iron ore mines in Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
The scope of supply for the project includes two GMD systems to power two 38-ft (11.6-m) SAG mills, as well as related transformers, ring motors and complete containerized electrical houses.
The order is ABB’s first GMD project in iron ore processing, its seventh installed unit in Brazil and its 48th GMD installation in Latin America, according to the company.
