ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order to supply a mine hoist system to Zarya Mine, Kryvyi Rih iron ore plant (Kryvbaszalizrudkom JSC) in Ukraine. Being one of the mine’s key elements, the hoist will lift the ore from 1,717 meters depth with 50 ton skips at a speed of 12 m/s.

The recent order consists of the complete mine hoist system with the mechanical part equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, two 3,700 MW overhung synchronous motors and an ACS6000 MV drive inverter, power transformers, medium and low voltage switchgears, a state-of-the-art control and monitoring System 800xA incorporating underground control equipment, shaft alarm, as well as an operator control panel and a combined operator and engineering station.

"This project is very promising not only in terms of development of our company’s business but also for the whole Ukrainian mining industry", says Igor Khilko, manager of ABB’s Process Automation division in Ukraine. "Mine operators are now in urgent need of production upgrade. The use of ABB products and solutions will thus not only allow to replace obsolete equipment but also to significantly improve energy efficiency, productivity and reliability of operation."

A complete ABB mine hoist system including mechanical, electric drive and control equipment has been in operation at Zarya Mine since 1960 without any modifications. Due to the system’s proven reliability and the long-term service provided by ABB, the customer now decided to order new ABB equipment.

"This is not the first time we have chosen ABB equipment", said Fedir Karamanyts, CEO of JSC Kryvbaszalizrudkom. "Already in 2010 the plant started to use a modern electric drive, a control and monitoring system as well as disc brakes supplied by ABB with the hoist installed at Lenin Mine. With the launch of this hoist system, the plant is now able to hoist barren rock by increasing payload capacity to 35 tons and the speed to 14 m/s, while lowering hoisting energy consumption."

The hoist system replacement with the newest equipment from ABB will enable Kryvyi Rih iron ore plant to increase productivity, reduce maintenance time and cost, cut energy consumption as well as improve energy efficiency.

ABB in Sweden is the main contractor for this project providing manufacturing and supply of the equipment. Parts of the project will be executed by local engineering and service centers of ABB in Ukraine as well as Ukrainian partners of the company.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.