Vale in New Caledonia keeps production high with ABB system, parts and training services

分享本页

Production processes in mining and mineral processing plants are extensive and highly demanding for the whole staff. To optimize and harmonize them, a comprehensive control system life cycle support – performed by best skilled personnel – is needed. ABB’s service solutions provide tailor-made support that helps increase productivity and reduce costs.

Control system service, parts and training

Our sophisticated control system services are developed to meet all levels of challenges in the minerals and mining industry: life cycle of high-performing equipment, complex production processes, extreme conditions and high environmental demands. Vale faces all of these challenges in their nickel and cobalt plant in New Caledonia. Therefore, they are relying on ABB as preferred service partner.

The service contract includes management and maintenance of control system service, spare parts management and training. Thanks to the maintenance and optimization of ABB’s System 800xA – already installed in the plant – Vale improves production processes to reduce costs and meet high environmental demands. And whenever a problem occurs, our experts are only a phone call away due to 24h assistance.

To run a plant on an optimal level you need skilled staff: ABB experts train Vale engineers individually to help them contribute to operational excellence.

The remote location of the plant requires deliberate solutions when it comes to spare parts. To provide Vale the best service we are responsible for the spare parts stock and manage it customized to Vale’s needs. If something is needed in the plant, they get the parts immediately.

The different optimizations performed in the entire process contribute to reduce the consumption of energies, like raw water, heavy oil and electrical power.

Pro-active contribution to operational excellence

ABB has the global resources, technology and knowledge to help Vale achieve their growth objectives, with comprehensive support services and forward evolution strategies that protect their existing automation system investment.

Scope of supply

Management of control system service and maintenance (one team with ABB and customer engineers)
On-site support from control system service engineers
Spare parts management (Smart spares)
Control system evolution support (Sentinel)
Training
Remote services

Main facts

Industry	Mining and minerals processing
Customer	Vale's nickel and cobalt plant
Location	New Caledonia
Solutions	ABB's service contract with Vale includes management and maintenance of control system service, spare parts management and training. ABB experts provide training to Vale engineers individually to help them contribute to operational excellence. Vale's plant is located in a remote location. ABB provides Vale with spare parts stock customized to their needs. If something is needed in the plant, they get the parts immediately.
Benefits	Long-term support for critical asset Smooth transition from commissioning to operation Access to ABB control system expertise (through local team in New Caledonia, remote support, and support from project engineering team) Agreed performance based targets System optimization

Example of an ABB remote control room, where ABB support engineers can analyze and maintain customer equipment.

Ghislain Belmonte, Technical Services Manager, Vale New Caledonia

“ABB’s services are of great benefit for us: The service experts train our people in individual programs. Together with ABB we maintain and optimize our systems as well as analyze, if something needs to be improved. Whenever a problem occurs, we get immediate support from them. It is a very professional and efficient partnership with ABB which we highly appreciate.”