Name and Location
Kansanshi substation and upgrade project, Zambia.

Client
Kansanshi Mining, a subsidiary of Canadian mining and metals company First Quantum Minerals.

Project Description
The project entails the construction of a new substation and the upgrade of an existing one. The facilities will provide reliable power supplies to Africa’s biggest copper mine being built in the north-western province of the country.

The new substation will be a main node in the new 330 kV transmission ring linking the capital, Lusaka, and the Copperbelt area with two main supply transmission line systems, which will help improve power quality in the Zambian network.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Completion if scheduled by 2014.

Latest Developments
ABB has won a $32-million contract from Kansanshi Mining for the construction of a new substation and the upgrade of an existing one. The order was booked in the second quarter.

The turnkey project encompasses design, engineering, supply and installation.

Key product supplies include high- and medium-voltage air-insulated switchgear and power transformers. The substation will also be equipped with automation, control and protection systems conforming to international IEC 61850 standards, which will enable local and remote monitoring and control of the power assets.

ABB will also supply telecommunications systems and solar photovoltaic-powered repeater stations to facilitate the reliable long-distance transmission of digital signals through fibre-optic cables to a remote-end substation, located about 400 km away.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
ABB (construction contract).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
First Quantum Minerals, tel +1 416 361 6400 or email info@fqml.com.
ABB corporate communications, Thomas Schmidt, or email media.relations@ch.abb.com.