- International mining company Harmony Gold selects ABB to supply gearless and ring-geared mill drive systems for flagship Eva Copper Mine Project in North West Queensland
- Locally engineered solutions to ensure compliance with Australian standards while accelerating the installation of efficient and reliable ore grinding systems
- Project to strengthen Australia’s future copper supply amid surging global demand
ABB has been awarded a contract to deliver gearless mill drive (GMD) and ring-geared mill drive (RMD) technology for Harmony’s Eva Copper Mine Project, a major new open-pit copper mine ~75 kms north of Cloncurry in North West Queensland, Australia. With global copper demand estimated to surge 24 percent by 2035[1], Eva Copper is set to become a major new metal mine in the region, producing around 60,000tonnes of copper annually. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2025. Financial details were not disclosed.
ABB’s technology will enable grinding with maximum efficiency, reliability and operational flexibility, suitable for a modern concentrator designed around contemporary processing flowsheets and low-risk technology choices.
The contract reflects the accelerating demand for critical metals and minerals, alongside renewed momentum in large-scale mining projects across Australia[2], with the energy transition being a key driver. It also adds to ABB’s installed base of GMDs and RMDs deployed globally to support the supply of materials essential to modern industry.
Through our Australian manufacturing and engineering capabilities, combined with extensive regional mining experience, ABB will deliver reliable, proven mill drive solutions tailored to Eva Copper's operational requirements,” said Nik Gresshoff, Cluster Manager for Southeast Asia, Zambia and South Africa at ABB’s Process Industries division. “This project showcases how local expertise and global technology come together to support Queensland's flagship mining development and Australia's critical role in securing future copper supply.
Designed and delivered by ABB, the 24MW GMD system will power the project’s 40-foot SAG mill, followed by an 18MW variable-speed dual-pinion RMD system for a 27-foot ball mill. Given the SAG and Ball mills will be the largest power consumers on site, drive system efficiency was a critical factor in Eva Copper’s detailed technology evaluation.
The project also includes an eHouse that will be engineered and manufactured in Australia to meet local standards and operator safety requirements. While local manufacturing will enable streamlined engineering, shorter logistics pathways and easier integration on site, engineering will be delivered through a global ABB team spanning Australia, Finland and Switzerland.
Once installed, the combined GMD and RMD systems will provide high availability and the functionality needed to process copper ore efficiently across the life of the mine.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalisation expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
ABB’s Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalises industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~26,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun – leaner and cleaner. go.abb/automation
