Switchboard replacement project in the Copper Concentrator
In this snapshot from the Mount Isa Mines Copper Concentrator, an aging switchboard has been replaced in the HBF Substation 3 section of the concentrator for improved safety protection and greater reliability.
The $800,000 project was carried out during a 10-day shutdown of the plant to replace the two 50-year-old old switchboards: Main 440v Distribution Board; and Motor Control Centre MCC-142-LT1; and incorporate them into one assembly.
The switchboard powers the agitators and other equipment where copper concentrate slurry is stored in tanks, before being filtered and sent to the Copper Smelter.
Mc-Leo De Leon, Manager Aerco and Georgie Athanasiou, Senior Electrical Engineer, inspecting the completed switchboard.
New transformer feed cables were installed to match the total current capacity of the transformer to the new MCC and upgrades of multiple motor drives.
Additionally, the Distributed Control System (DCS) node was modified, and new Local Control Units (LCUs) were installed to implement greater controls and automation of operations in the plant.
Nick Donker, Manager Engineering for Mount Isa Mines thanked the members of the Concentrator Projects Engineering Team, and Georgie Athanasiou for managing the project and the support of the Concentrator Projects and Maintenance teams.
Old Sub 3 Switchboard.