:: Cerro Verde triples copper production thanks to ABB drive systems

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has announced that the start-up of copper concentrate production at the Cerro Verde mine expansion near Arequipa, Peru, has taken place in December 2006.

ABB’s deliveries to the customer comprised installation and commissioning of four gearless ball mill drive systems including ring motors, transformers and E-houses with cycloconverters. Furthermore ABB supplied four High Pressure Grinding Roll Drive Systems (HPGR-Systems), each driven by two water cooled ACS 1000 drive systems, including transformers and motors. Additionally various conveyor and pump drive systems, harmonic filters and spare parts were part of the scope of supply. In total, 24 medium voltage converters of the ACS 1000 family were delivered to Cerro Verde.

Once it has reached full production, the expansion will allow the mine to triple its annual production from 100’000 tons of copper up to 300’000 tons. Furthermore this expansion not only brings great economic benefits to the end-customer, but also to Peru and the communities surrounding the mine. Phelps Dodge Corp. estimates the expansion will create 350 permanent new jobs at the mine, which currently employs about 660 employees