Under the contract, ABB will commence work on systems engineering and optimization for the equipment packages, which include a steam turbine generator, medium and low voltage electrical distribution, power management and plant-wide process automation and instrumentation systems for the power generation, acid and lithium-boron processing plants.
ABB will use its comprehensive ABB Ability™ MineOptimize approach and portfolio of optimized engineering, products and systems, electrification and automation solutions, digital applications and remote services. MineOptimize integrates individual mining solutions into a connected and structured plant-wide system to optimize all stages in the lifecycle – from design and build to operation and service – of any open-pit or underground mine and minerals processing plant. This approach helps mining companies optimize CAPEX and maximize productivity, sustainability and safety.
Enhancing the US’s critical mineral supply chains is a focus of the US federal government to foster growth in the clean energy economy, like electric vehicles that rely on lithium for batteries. ioneer and ABB are both founding members of the Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA) which is an industry coalition advocating for policies to encourage adoption of electric vehicles in the US.