NYSE-listed Newmont Corporation has commissioned global technology company ABB to design, supply, install and provide long-term service for the mine hoist mechanical and electrical systems, for the mine shaft at the Tanami mine, in Australia.

ABB’s $17-million contract is part of Newmont’s Tanami Expansion 2 project, which is expected to increase the capacity of the processing site to 3.5-million tonnes a year, from 2.6-million tonnes a year, while extending the mine life beyond 2040.

ABB will deliver two complete mine hoist systems − a double drum personnel-riding hoist and a friction hoist − over 90 weeks.

The Tanami underground mine has produced more than ten-million ounces of gold from various openpits and underground operations.

The mine currently produces from the Callie underground operation.

Currently, ore is trucked from the Tanami underground mine to the surface through a system of declines, which presents challenges in terms of logistics, ventilation and cooling and constraints to the planned expansion of the mine.

The Tanami expansion project includes the construction of a 5.4 m shaft that will reach 1 460 m below surface to enable the recovery of ore at depth.

“This provides a viable solution to extend the mine and with an additional investment in processing is expected to increase production to 3.5-million tonnes a year,” says Newmont regional project director Neil Steyn.

ABB’s in-house mechanical hoist design capability will help deliver a tailor-made solution in a cost effective way.

As part of the expansion project, ABB’s solutions package also includes digital applications covering functional safety, a programmable logic controller system, remote operations, shaft communication and the latest drive systems technology.

“This contract highlights ABB's capability to offer end-to-end mine hoist system solutions.

"As sole supplier, we are designing and delivering equipment, providing service and spare parts which will help lower life cycle costs and reduce project execution time at Tanami, while ensuring reliability and system availability,” notes ABB Australia mining sales manager Ralf Eckert.