SOLUTION START Murmansk region vice governor Alexey Tyukavin, Olkon general director Alexander Popov and Olenegorsk head Oleg Samarsky
Diversified engineering group Metso has put into trial operation a “state-of-the-art” in-pit crushing and conveying system for Russian mining company Olenegorskiy GOK’s (Olkon’s) iron-ore mine, in Olenegorsk, the company announced last month.
“After a two-year construction period, the system is now operating at full speed and yielding significant benefits,” states Metso.
Before the Metso solution, Olkon relied on a traditional crushing process with no in-pit facilities. The company explains that having an in-pit crushing and conveying process yields savings in the operating costs of truck fleets, prevents potential accidents and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Instead of hauling the blasted ore from the pit to the plant with trucks, the ore is crushed directly in the pit and conveyed onwards.
“The successful start-up of the crushing and screening equipment and the belt conveyor in our mine gives many other mining companies reason to have confidence in the solution. In fact, we were the first company to implement such a system in Russia,” says Olkon general director Alexander Popov.
He explains that Olkon was looking for a single supplier with enough knowledge to provide a complete in-pit solution and Metso’s expertise enabled the mine to establish primary and secondary crushing as well as conveying, with a capacity of 1 200 t/h.
“This project is the result of excellent cooperation between Olkon, their technical representative SPb Giproshakht and Metso. Metso mobilised cross-national teams to design and implement the crushing and conveying solution in the pit. “Olkon placed their confidence in Metso for our process expertise and project implementation capabilities, as well as in our machines. In return, Metso has provided a showcase in-pit solution,” says Metso senior project manager Frédéric Barou.
He points out that the Metso system consists of an AF10-84 apron feeder, a Nordberg C200 jaw crusher, an RF2448 mining screen, a Nordberg HP800 cone crusher and conveyors, as well as custom-made electrics and automation systems, all feed and support structures and maintenance equipment.
Metso also provided installation supervision, start-up support and commissioning, Barou adds.
He notes that the conveyors, which form part of Metso’s new Nordberg NCHD mining range, are maintenance friendly and provide high levels of protection against freezing temperatures.
“The hopper design features a buffer that reduces wear lining consumption. In addition, all components are controlled by a highly sophisticated, Metso-designed control system, which keeps the flow rate constant and optimises the load on the crusher. “This enables improved energy consumption per ton, compared with uncontrolled crush- ing stations of the former generation,” states Barou.
He explains that to ensure maximum safety, the system includes a comprehensive set of access and maintenance platforms for all machinery.
Barou further highlights that Metso also designed and installed guards and covers, mostly on the conveyors and crushing stations, which comply with the latest international standards.