Today I’d like to share an excerpt from the new ABB Review article on how ABB is helping extend the life of Boliden’s massive Aitik copper mine by making it more efficient. This project perfectly illustrates the value and the power of integration.
“Some 1,000 km north of Stockholm, Sweden, past the Arctic Circle, lies an impressive open-pit copper mine, known as Aitik. Although the proportion of metal found at the Aitik copper mine is low – less than 0.3 percent – it is a highly profitable mine because it is run so efficiently. In fact, operations have recently become even more efficient – a $790 million modernization of the entire mining operation has enabled the mine operator Boliden to double its production capacity and extending the life of the mine to 2030. ABB has contributed to this success by supplying a range of products and systems to power and operate the entire site.”
Many technologies make up the solution at Aitik, but the whole thing is held together by ABB’s
System 800xA extended automation system. Integration is key not only used for the equipment on site (gearless mill drives, motors, substations etc.), but for applications such as maintenance systems and the document management system.
To learn more about the Aitik installation and the value they have achieved through integration, read the full story in ABB Review (go to page 56). What do you find the most interesting? The IEC61850 integration, controlling the plant through smart phones or asset optimization? We’d like your comments.