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As part of Ivanhoe Mines refurbishment of the historic Kipushi Zinc-Copper
Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zest WEG will be supplying a range of electrical and energy solutions.
Ivanhoe Mines acquired its 68% interest in the Kipushi Project in November 2011. The balance of 32% is held by the DRCs state-owned mining company, Gecamines.
According to Luveshen Naidoo, Business Development External Sales Engineer for Mining and Industrial at Zest WEG, this includes a 14MW power plant, motor control centres, WEG MV variable speed drives (VSD), and a WEG l,200kW MV motor for the mines ball mill.
The company is also the preferred supplier of LV motors and will supply these to a range of mechanical Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) servicing the mine. Delivery of the equipment is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023.
"Our diesel-powered plant, which will provide the mine with backup energy, has been designed to comprise 12 generator sets - each rated at l,587kVA and 400V," says Naidoo. "Assembled at Zest WEGs specialised Cape Town facility, the plant includes MV switchgear, six 3150kVA ONAN type 400V/ 6.6kV step-up transformers, a 40,000-litre fuel tank and an automated fuel system."
Energy at mines by Zest WEG in the DRC
Naidoo highlights that splitting the plant design into smaller generating units ensured engines and alternators were readily available, securing a quicker delivery time. The configuration of the plant in this way also gives the mine greater energy security in the case of maintenance or breakdown. The gensets can also be transported to the site using conventional trucking without the need for abnormal load vehicles.
The MCCs are being supplied for use in an established substation on the Kipushi Zinc-Copper mine, as well as for a containerised substation elsewhere on the site. To accommodate space constraints, the MCCs are designed for a back-to-back configuration with a compact bucket size, he explains.
"This ensures that the equipment will fit in the available space while still meeting the clients specification and stringent IEC standards," he says.
For the mines SAG mill, Zest WEG is providing the WEG W60 MV motor rated at l,200kW - a robust unit for the demanding applications and aggressive environments found in the mining sector, says Naidoo. The reduced motor weight holds distinct benefits, he notes, including a compact base plate or plinth onto which it is mounted -and lower installation costs. The motors IPSS rating ensures the motor is well protected from dust or water ingress. |
