Vale Nickel – Operations in Sudbury
Sudbury, Ontario, the mining capital of the world, has been producing ore for more than 100 years and Vale’s operations here are among their largest on the planet.
Totten Mine is Vale’s first new mine in the Sudbury Basin in over 40 years. It is the mine of our future – utilizing some of the best technology, automation and environmental management in the mining industry. Totten Mine was developed with industry leading environmental design features including three water treatment plants, enclosed material handling facilities and progressive closure planning.
As the mine ramps up to full production in 2016, it will employ approximately 200 people and produce 2,200 tons per day of copper, nickel and precious metals, for 20 years.
Benefits
We asked Mr Paul Horlings, Automation Specialist, Vale Totten mine and Mr Ron Legault, Operator Room Supervisor, Vale Totten mine: What are the main benefits of
ABB’s LM80 laser gauges installed in the crusher and the
ABB control system 800xA? “Vale Totten mine is an ABB mine and the 800xA Control System is keeping all ABB products together. We process 300 tons of ore per hour in Totten mine and ABB LM80 laser level gauges, installed on crusher jaws, is optimizing the performance in the crusher.”
“The opening where the ore is falling down is approximately 3x3 feet and if we don’t have ABB laser level gauges the ore will get stuck and jam up. The level gauge maintains an even level from feeder to crusher and the crusher does not getoverloaded with ore.”
“Previously we had a case where it took 9 hours to unclog the ore that was stuck in the crusher. Now, after installation of ABB LM80 laser level gauge and update of automation software, we don’t have any more clogging problems. It frees up an operator for other activities.”