Mining Magazine > Panorama > Siemens update

Siemens Industry Solutions Division and Siemag M-Tec² have received an order from Datong Coal Mine Group, one of China’s leading coal producers, to supply two new winders for the Majialiang coal mine near Shuozhou. Completion of the project is scheduled for the end of 2010, with the Siemens part of the deal valued at around €4 million.

The two new winders will be installed in a service shaft which is 538m deep. Siemens will supply the drive equipment, medium and low-voltage distribution systems and transformers as well as the automation technology, including human-machine interface (HMI) equipment and safety systems. The mechanical components will be supplied by Siemag M-Tec². The larger of the two winders is equipped with a 3,600kW synchronous motor and enables a double cage with a payload of 50t to be moved at a speed of 10m/s. The second machine has a power output of 435kW. This enables winding of a payload of 8t at a speed of 6.67m/s.

The systems will feature Simatic S7-400 programmable automated logic controllers with a two-channel structure. The signals from the channels are continually compared with each other so that when an error is detected, the safety circuit is activated to immediately apply the safety brake and stop the drive. Siemens is also responsible for system integration, supervision of the installation work and commissioning, and will provide customer training for the electrical equipment and the brake systems.

In addition, Xstrata Copper has ordered motors, drives and power-supply equipment from Siemens Industry Solutions Division for a SAG mill and two ball mills at one of its South American development projects. Siemens received a similar order from Xstrata Copper in spring 2008.

Siemens is responsible for engineering, manufacturing and supplying the electrical equipment for the ore mills. The SAG mill will be fitted with a gearless drive with an output of 24MW. The ball mills will also be equipped with gearless drives, each of which will have an output of 16.4MW. The scope of supply also includes transformers, protective equipment and operator control devices.