Control cabinets key to success of
history-making Namibian gold mine
Requirement
In order to open the Otjikoto Gold
Mine in Namibia, B2Gold Corp
needed a world-class control system.
IMI had supplied a similar and highly
successful package for B2Gold's
EPCM, Lycopodium, on a previous
project, and knew they could provide
a custom solution that was more
cost-effective and more efficient than
their competitors for the Otjikoto Mine
as well. Improving on the design of
the original spec and lowering the
cost, IMI Precision Engineering
submitted a separate control panel
and air component supply-only bid
that was accepted by Lycopodium.
Solution
The set of approximately 40 pneumatic
control panels provided by IMI Precision
Engineering provide centralized operation
for launder gates, diverter gates and a
series of localized control valves across
Otjikoto's beneficiation plant. These
control the flow of slurry and other
solutions used to separate the mine's
gold from crushed ore. The centralized
control panel packages are integrated
into the plant's master digital control
system meaning maintenance and issue
resolution can take place centrally,
saving the mine time and therefore
money. Other design innovations include
a simple, roomy and well-labeled layout,
low-voltage components that can be
changed by hand or with a screwdriver,
and a "plug-and-play" design with
stainless steel, weather-proof
components.
For more information go to:
www.norgren.com/us/mining
Case study
Location: Namibia
Customer: B2Gold Corp.,
Lycopodium
Growth driver: Resource Scarcity
Photos courtesy of B2Gold Corp.
© Norgren, Inc. 2015
