SI strong on diamond mines

April 2004 System Integration & Control Systems Design

Two high-profile contracts at cross-border diamond mines have been awarded to B&W Instrumentation & Electrical. In Namibia, B&W, in a joint venture with ABB Namibia, has started work on a coveted electrical and instrumentation contract at Namdeb's new R400 million Elizabeth Bay diamond plant near Lüderitz. The JV formed part of the successful tender submitted by project managers Bateman Projects Namibia. The contract calls for the installation of the 6,6 medium voltage switchgear, 6,6 to 550 V distribution transformers, various 525 V motor control centres and variable speed drives. It also includes small power and lighting and all associated racking, cabling and the termination within the equipment.

The instrumentation will be carried out in accordance with the hook-up drawings provided and includes the main and secondary rack routes and associated cabling. In accordance with B&W's practice of promoting local skills, local Namibian labour is being used and on-the-job training undertaken. The contract is scheduled for completion by the end of May 2004.

In Lesotho's Maluti mountains, B&W has completed an electrical and instrumentation contract at the world's highest diamond mine, Letseng Diamonds. Working at an elevation of 3100m, B&W had to contend with the difficulties of working in an extremely remote location, gale force winds and snow in November, in order to successfully complete the four month contract, which started in October 2003. The contract was awarded by mineral plant design and engineering company, Dowding, Reynard and Associates (DRA) which was responsible for the construction of a new, fully automated 350 tph dense media separation plant at Letseng Diamonds as part of the mine's revitalisation. Commissioning of the plant is scheduled for completion by the beginning of March 2004. According to DRA's Danie van Zyl, who first worked with B&W on Assmang's Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine in 2000, the Letseng contract has confirmed the excellent working relationship between the two companies. Apart from electrical and instrumentation construction, B&W's contract also involved all high-tension reticulation (11 kV) in the plant.

This is the highest altitude B&W has ever worked at and extremely cold weather prevailed even in high summer. "Although there is a tar road, getting supplies to the top proved quite a feat and working at that unusual altitude altogether proved quite challenging, says B&W's project director, Dean Nevay.

For more information contact Ken Nel, B&W Instrumentation, 011 907 1663, [email protected]

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