ABB Mill Drive Technology to Power Major Copper Project in Australia

〡 16 Apr, 2026
〡 by WUPAMBO

The global demand for copper is set to rise significantly by 2035 due to the ongoing energy transition. To meet this challenge, ABB recently secured a major contract for the Eva Copper Mine Project in Queensland. This site aims to produce 60,000 tons of copper annually for at least 15 years. Consequently, the project requires robust industrial automation and high-power grinding solutions to ensure long-term productivity.

Implementing Gearless and Ring-Geared Mill Drive Systems

ABB is supplying a sophisticated mix of grinding technologies to optimize the mine's concentrator. The package includes a 24MW Gearless Mill Drive (GMD) for the primary 40-foot SAG mill. Additionally, an 18MW variable-speed dual-pinion Ring-Geared Mill Drive (RMD) will power the 27-foot ball mill. These systems provide the necessary torque and control to process hard ore efficiently.

Prioritizing Energy Efficiency in Large-Scale Mining

Large grinding mills represent the highest power consumers in any mining operation. Therefore, ABB focused on maximizing drive system efficiency to reduce operational costs and carbon footprints. These variable-speed drives allow operators to adjust the mill speed based on ore hardness and throughput requirements. As a result, the facility achieves better energy management compared to fixed-speed alternatives.

Local Manufacturing Meets Global Engineering Standards

While the engineering team spans Switzerland, Finland, and Australia, much of the hardware manufacturing remains local. ABB will design and build a specialized eHouse in Australia to house the electrical and control systems. This local approach streamlines logistics and ensures the equipment meets strict regional safety standards. Moreover, it simplifies on-site integration during the commissioning phase of the factory automation systems.

Ensuring High Availability and Operational Flexibility

Reliability is paramount for mines located in remote regions like Queensland. ABB’s drive technology offers high availability and integrated diagnostics to prevent unplanned downtime. The systems interface seamlessly with broader Distributed Control Systems (DCS) to provide real-time monitoring. This integration allows maintenance teams to identify potential issues before they escalate into costly mechanical failures.

Expert Insight: Copper as the Backbone of Digital Transformation

In my view, the Eva Copper Project highlights a critical irony in the industrial sector. We need massive, traditional heavy-industry projects to supply the materials for "green" and "digital" technologies. ABB’s role here proves that even the most "analog" task—crushing rocks—now relies on advanced power electronics and digital control. For B2B suppliers, this project underscores the growing market for high-power, high-efficiency drives as mining companies modernize their fleets.

Application Scenario: Optimized Grinding Circuit

Grinding Stage	Technology Solution	Key Performance Factor
Primary Grinding	24MW Gearless Mill Drive	High efficiency for massive 40-foot SAG mills.
Secondary Grinding	18MW Dual-Pinion RMD	Variable-speed flexibility for ball mill optimization.
Power Distribution	Locally Built eHouse	Reduced logistics time and improved site safety.
System Control	Integrated Drive Diagnostics	Predictive maintenance via real-time data feedback.

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