Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/111460
miningspecial Copper control Our desire for better lifestyles is seeing copper demand outstripping supply, but mining advancements could provide answers, writes Jay robinson. D emand for copper is often used to measure the health of an economy. The rise of the middle class in emerging markets is raising living standards, bringing with it greater demand for consumer goods and community infrastructure. Underpinning this is the need for copper – the vital material behind society's requirements for energy, buildings, computers and transport. From a demand perspective, Siemens believes the mining industry is not only best placed, but should be compelled, to take advantage of the latest technology to help copper producers keep up with our growing pains. Fundamentally, minerals build societies – physically and financially. When there is no supply, we need to look for alternatives. But, when we're lagging supply, we need to find better ways of doing things, and that's where technology can help. It's not just a matter of profits, but an obligation to meet the needs of society, in the best possible way and with the least cost. New mine developments continually rely on innovation to harness the highest level of productivity, efficiency and reliability, as well as solutions to speed up projects in line with society's burgeoning demand. As an example, Xstrata recently commissioned the new Antapaccay copper mine in Peru, the second largest producer of copper after Chile. Siemens and ThyssenKrupp were called on to come up with a gearless solution for their belt conveyors. This powerful system – only the second of its kind in the world – has the capacity to move 5,260 tonnes of ore per hour, at more than six metres per second, with significantly less maintenance requirements than traditional systems. Rather than the typical high-speed motor, coupling and gear units used for belt conveyors, the team came up with a unique gearless drive system to manage the load, torque and speed of this process. It eliminates the need for gears, reduces the number of drive systems and removes several mechanical and electrical components, resulting in a much more reliable, productive and cost-efficient system to run. Similarly, the Cerro Negro Norte (Chile) iron ore mine has incorporated the latest technologies to boost productivity and time to market, to keep up with the increasingly demanding needs and accelerating pace of a sustainable future. It has chosen to implement a miningspecific control system over a generic one, which will raise the long-term competitiveness and output of the mine. Siemens has designed a system around the unique needs of a mine that drastically shortens the implementation time while reducing operating and maintenance costs. This can only lead to greater results with lower economic, social and environmental costs, compared with a traditional automation approach. Local operators have the opportunity to experience this new development, as the system is now available in Australia. Jay Robinson is head of minerals at Siemens Australia. Left: Gearless drive systems from Siemens for Antapaccay's overland conveyor (far left) and SAG and ball mills. 82