Siemens to Modernize SAG Mill Drive at the Robinson Mine for Quadra FNX

Siemens Industry will modernize the drive in a semi-autogenous grinding mill at Quadra FNX Mining's Robinson open-cast copper mine near Ruth, Nevada.

Siemens Industry announced an agreement with Canadian mining company Quadra FNX Mining to modernize the drive in a semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill at the Robinson open-cast copper mine near Ruth, Nevada.

Atlanta (GA), USA – Siemens will be responsible for hardware and software engineering, installation supervision and commissioning and adaptation of the automation equipment.

The mill, which employs a special Siemens solution for gearless mill drives and twin-pinion mills, will be upgraded with a Sinamics SL150 cycloconverter and a new diagnostics system. Together, these improvements are expected to increase operational reliability and availability of the plant while reducing maintenance costs.

According to Siemens, the solution employed at this mill lets customers replace old analog or early digital control and power conversion systems without forcing them to replace the motor or transformers. In addition to saving money on conversion and modernization costs, mill downtime for conversion would be significantly reduced, enabling quicker production restoration.

Siemens will also supply operating data acquisition and remote service features that offer maintenance personnel a continuously updated overview of plant parameters. The additional features will also help reduce maintenance costs by minimizing unplanned shutdowns and allowing maintenance intervals to be adjusted according to actual requirements.

The project is scheduled for completion in summer of 2011. When finished, it will mark the first installation of a Sinamics SL150 cycloconverter in a grinding mill. In the past, the Sinamics SL150 has been used successfully in applications like bucket chain excavators and rolling mills.