Modern Mining January 2018

PRODUCT News

Massive motors installed by M&C at Cobre Panamá 30 years and the operation will produce around 300 000 t/a copper, 100 000 oz/a gold and 2 500 t/a molybdenum.

ammonium phosphate, a non-conduc- tive dry chemical powder, which means it can be used on any electrical product without resultant damage. The detonator incorporated in the FST Fire Orb is a small, non-lethal explosive mechanism. The force of the bursting device is non- harmful to humans, animals, or property, and the effect is minimised further by the use of low-density, low-mass components. This means no part of the device has suffi- cient mass or density to constitute a ballistic hazard, or result in concussive shock. The FST Fire Orb activates automati- cally upon direct contact with open flames, and not heat. Upon activation, it emits a loud bang of between 119 dB to 138 dB as a warning signal, and disperses the dry chemical powder in order to extinguish the fire. The device is simply rolled or thrown into the fire, whereupon it activates within three to seven seconds. Fire & Security Techniques, tel (+27 12) 621-9400 Marthinusen & Coutts played in this project, Divisional CEO Richard Botton says that a team of six highly competent and skilled technicians was responsible for the completion of the project within extremely tight time schedules. Work on the machines was performed back-to-back and this was accomplished using induc- tion brazing equipment, and a bar wound winding with separate upper and lower stator bars, as opposed to set diamond lap-wound, formed type coils. “The depth of experience and technical competence within our team proved vital to the successful completion of the work, especially given the various challenges encountered on a daily basis,”he says.“The average execution per machine took just 28 days.” Another major challenge that the team had to contend with was the adverse weather conditions at the location. This region receives between 5 and 7 m of rain per year, with ambient temperatures often exceeding 35 deg C and humidity levels above 80 % on a daily basis. Botton says that working closely with the OEM – ABB – on this project was also vital to its success. He points out that it is not unusual for Marthinusen & Coutts to partner with OEMs on projects such as this. Marthinusen & Coutts, tel (+27 11) 607-1700

Marthinusen & Coutts, a division of ACTOM, recently executed the sub-assembly of six gearless mill drives for Minera Panamá’s remotely situated Cobre Panamá project in record time, and as a result was able to hand the machines over to the mechani- cal teams for professional assembly well ahead of schedule. Minera Panamá, the Panamanian subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals, is currently developing the Cobre Panamá project, located in Colón province. The mine life has been estimated at more than

to the local market by Fire & Security Techniques (FST) of Centurion. The FST Fire Orb is a unique self-activating, portable device that activates automatically when in contact with open flames. The device is effective for use against all types and classes of fires, from electrical shortages to fat, oil and paraffin stove fires, vehicle fires, and workshop and factory fires. It can be wall-mounted for maxi- mum effectiveness, explains Fire & Security Techniques CEO Neil Hughes. Each FST Fire Orb weighs only 1,3 kg, making it lightweight and easy to handle and operate. It consists of a lightweight case of frangible material, with a protective exterior sheathing. The internal cavity con- tains a pyrotechnic detonator at or near the centre of mass. It is activated by fuse cords extending to the surface. The device is filled with mono Marthinusen & Coutts has a proven track record partnering with customers on similar complex projects, while still being able to offer a cost competitive solution. This leading repairer of rotating machin- ery has an established reputation as an expert in gearless mill drive refurbishment, winding termination and testing of motor segments. Projects previously successfully completed by the division include the installation of six Siemens gearless mill drives at various mines in north-west Zambia. Of the six ABB gearless mill drives being installed at Cobre Panamá, four will power ball mills and the other two will drive SAG mills. Importantly, these massive machines are among the largest ever installed in the world and were transported in quartered sections to site for assembly in-situ. The sheer size of the machines, with inside diameter of 14 m, presented chal- lenges of its own with each segment weighing approximately 80 t. Work was done on four different positions on the machines simultaneously, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock and 12 o’clock. Comment i ng on t he ro l e t hat

The Marthinusen & Coutts team brazing the coil to the coil stator connections.

Simple fire-extinguishing device introduced A simple-to-use, cost-effective new fire- extinguishing device is being introduced

Each FST Fire Orb weighs only 1,3 kg, making it lightweight and easy to handle and operate.

68  MODERN MINING  January 2018