First Quantum Minerals announced Cobre Panama had achieved commercial production on September 1.

The operation installed the newly commissioned drive units late last year.

According to ABB, they are the most powerful drive systems available for semi-autogenous (SAG), ball and autogenous mills.

In all, two 28-megawatt gearless mill drive systems (GMDs) are in use at the mine's 40ft SAG mills, and four 16.5MW GMDs are employed in 26 football mills.

"Gearless mill drives are the 'workhorses' for grinding operations, which are at the heart of any mine," ABB's Cobre Panama project manager Rene Chacon said.

"As the ore extraction pace indicates, they are maximising throughput. They allow operators to react to changes in ore characteristics due to variable speed and, by optimising the process, are more efficient in their use of grinding power."

The supplier added that the mill drives were designed to operate in the most extreme environmental conditions, including high altitudes and varied climates in remote areas, allowing them to maximise reliability and availability for the operation.

ABB has also placed its ABB Ability 800xA automation system at Cobre Panama; it will permit operators to make more accurate and timely decisions, thus driving the mine's efficiency.

ABB Ability Remote Service Centers, which offer remote diagnostic services, maintenance reports, remote online monitoring of critical assets, and access to ABB's product and maintenance experts, have also been installed.

The Cobre Panama project is located in the Colón province of Panama, approximately 120km west of Panama City. First Quantum acquired an 80% interest in Minera Panamá (which holds the mine concession) in 2013, which was subsequently increased to an effective ownership of 90% in August 2017. The remaining 10% is currently held by Korea Resources Corporation.