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| ABB wins order in Zambia to power Africa’s biggest copper mine  Switzerland's ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order worth around $32 million from Kansanshi Mining PLC, a subsidiary of Canadian mining and metals company First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (FQM), for the construction of a new substation and upgrade of an existing one. The facilities will help to provide reliable power supplies to Africa's biggest copper mine, being built in the northwestern province of the country. Global demand for raw materials is one of the main growth drivers in Africa. The Zambian economy is highly dependent on the copper mining industry, which accounts for around 80 percent of the country's gross domestic product. The new copper mine will be the biggest of its kind on the African continent and will help reinforce the country's number eight global position in terms of copper production. The mining project is also expected to bring employment opportunities in the Zambezi Basin area, with a completely new town being built to support it. ABB is present in more than 20 countries in Africa with around 5,200 employees. The company is aiming to grow its business in the region at least twice as fast as the global GDP growth rate through 2015. The turnkey project encompasses design, engineering, supply and installation. Key product supplies include high- and medium-voltage air-insulated switchgear and power transformers. The substation will also be equipped with automation, control and protection systems conforming to international IEC 61850 standards, to enable local and remote monitoring and control the power assets. The new substation will be a main node in the new 330 kV transmission ring linking the capital Lusaka and the copper belt area with two main supply transmission line systems and will help improve power quality in the Zambian network. The project is scheduled for completion by 2014. write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Construction News :: home page |