ABB has offered a novel hoisting resolution to the Karowe diamond mine enlargement challenge in Botswana. Owned by Lucara Diamond Company (a part of the Lundin Group of Corporations) by its subsidiary Lucara Botswana (Pty) Ltd, the state-of-the-art mine has been operational since 2012 and produces massive, high-quality, Sort IIA diamonds in extra of 10.8 carats. The enlargement challenge is designed to increase the mine’s life by greater than 12 years, to not less than 2040.
To broaden present operations to extend the lifetime of mine, it was determined to sink two shafts, a air flow and manufacturing shaft. The manufacturing shaft will accommodate hoisting manufacturing with a manufacturing hoist supported by a service hoist. ABB’s skilled hoisting workforce collaborated with each a Canadian and a South African engineering, procurement, and building (EPC) contractor for the challenge.
“All through the challenge life cycle, we’ve supported the workforce to establish the very best resolution,” explains Danielle Koekemoer, Native Gross sales Supervisor, Hoisting at ABB Course of Industries. “As a frontrunner and skilled within the business, we’re dedicated to serving to companions obtain their ambitions effectively and successfully.”
As the primary a part of the challenge, ABB’s workforce of consultants decided one of the best ways to make use of the prevailing fleet of hoists and methods to refurbish them.
The refurbished gear included two kibble hoists, two units of stage hoists, and auxiliary gear. All 4 of the refurbished hoists have been offered from the hoist praise owned by the UMS Group and refurbished below the steerage of ABB by native sub-contractor corporations.
At current, the shafts are being sunk with the refurbished hoists. The kibble hoist used to sink the manufacturing shaft will likely be used because the everlasting manufacturing hoist after the shaft sinking is full.
After the profitable completion the primary a part of the challenge, ABB was awarded a second contract in extra of ZAR130 million to provide a brand new auxiliary hoist and repair hoist, which will likely be used for the transportation of personnel and materials to the underground works. Each hoists are being put in by the UMS Group below the path of ABB.
“Our collaboration with clients begins earlier than they’ve even procured the gear to make sure the ultimate resolution is correct for his or her wants and cost-effective,” says Mike Davis, World Product Supervisor, Hoisting at ABB Course of Industries.
