The installation consists of a series of automation and drives solutions which enable the mine to benefit from a shortened engineering and procurement cycle, as well as improved risk mitigation.

The new solutions have also helped lessen the company’s carbon footprint by reducing the overall energy required by conveyor belt operation by up to 10%.

The Integrated Drive Systems (IDS) technology combined with Siemens automation technology replaced the older technology on several existing conveyors. The technology is also installed on two newly constructed overland conveyors. One of which is the Melawan overland conveyor, which is a curved conveyor that runs at a speed of 7.5m/sec.

The second conveyor belt, named OLC2, is a straight conveyor belt that runs at a speed of 8.5m/sec and connects PT Kaltim Prima Coal’s coal preparation plant and port stockpile, Both conveyors transport coal over a total distance of 25km.

Siemens said that PT Kaltim Prima Coal turned towards automation to meet its future productivity and sustainability needs.

“We are constantly looking towards the future and exploring new ways to innovate, improving operations and making our processes more environmentally sustainable. IDS technology from Siemens is the best fit for us thanks to its capabilities and relevant solutions that suit our needs. Since the implementation, we have observed the reliability of the technology to smoothly run the conveyor at high speed with a significant increase in energy savings and without any complications,” stated Poltak Sinaga, general manager at PT Kaltim Prima Coal.