ABB will supply three mine hoist systems to help Hindustan Zinc Ltd move production at its Rampura Agucha mine from an open-pit to an underground operation. The new systems, according to ABB, including related shaft equipment, will enable the Indian company to exceed production targets.
“This opens up a new market and paves the way for more large projects in underground mining in India,” said Fredrik Sjöholm, a regional ABB Sales Manager in Sweden. “ABB’s mine hoist systems can help our customers increase productivity and their safety.
ABB’s supply includes two friction hoists and a single drum hoist including both mechanical and electrical parts, according to officials. ABB also delivers switchgears and power cables with complete shaft equipment for the mine hoists; hoist delivery is pending Q3 2014 based on the previous agrement.
The Rampura Agucha mine is located in Rajasthan, in northwest India, and is the world’s largest zinc-producing mine. Reserves and resources of Rampura Agucha at Q1 2013, were 109 million tons with a best-in-class zinc-lead reserves grade at 15.4%.
The Rampura Agucha mine is currently producing 6.15 million tons ore per annum (tpa) from open-pit mining operations, while treating the same in a beneficiation plant. With the present open pit system, the mine will be operative up to 372 meters below surface. Beyond this level, said ABB, mineral reserves and resources are to be extracted by suitable underground mining methods.
