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NCPI SUPPLIES ANOTHER MILL INTO WESTERN AFRICA

by | Nov 22, 2024 | Uncategorized

32 ft Diameter SAG mill – multi segment mill installation at Tietto, Abujar Gold Project

NCPI successfully completed the supply of 32ft dual drive SAG mill for TIETTO’s ABUJAR GOLD project in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. NCPI was awarded this contract by Australian exploration company Tietto Minerals and has delivered on all the contractual commitments made at sales stage for an accelerated delivery.

The contract allowed for the supply of a 32’Ø x 20′, 11.5 MW Dual Drive Bi-directional Semi-autogenous (SAG) mill, supported off hydrostatic trunnion bearings.

The dual pinion drive train consists of two existing 5.75 MW, 6 pole slipring electric motors converted to operate as a squirrel cage induction motors allowing operation through a 3 MW VVVF Variable Speed Drive.

The specified duty of the mill is to process Run of Mine (ROM) material fed at a rate of 500TPH from the primary crushing circuit at a F80 material size of 159mm, delivering a product of P80-115µm. The mill size selected offers slightly more capacity providing upside potential in terms of throughput.

The mill was delivered within 28 Weeks ex works from raw components arriving in South Africa, once again highlighting NCPI’s world leading ability to meet tight project deadlines.

NCPI’s scope of work included the supply of the mill, installation and commissioning. NCPI will supply the client full aftermarket sales service, on-site assistance and technical support.

Based on well-developed relationships with key suppliers, NCP International planned the manufacture of the grinding mill components to meet the delivery schedule.

“Abujar first gold pour achieved within 12 months of breaking ground and the start of construction.”

NCPI supplied and completed the installation of the 32ft SAG Mill on-time and is proud to have met the client’s expectations in this regard.

NCPI is looking forward to supporting Tietto Minerals into the future and ensuring that this mill continues to deliver what it is designed to do.

Overview photo of the 32ft SAG mill during commissioning at Tietto, Abujar Gold Project

OVERCOMING THE ODDS TO ENSURE PROJECT VALUE IS ACHIEVED

by | Nov 22, 2024 | Uncategorized

The SAG Mill installation in progress

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

The year 2022 was a year which saw a boom in commodity markets post-Covid. The need for new grinding mills for projects being developed worldwide was high, with foundries and fabrication workshops filled with new orders. Lead times for components were being increased dramatically based on full order books.

Early 2022, NCPI was approached by Hummingbird Resources plc to supply an 18’Ø x 31, 4.5 MW SAG Mill for their Kouroussa Gold Mine (KGM) in Guinea. NCPI discussed the needs and expectations of the customer to understand their specific project requirements clearly.

Delivery ex-manufacturing works had to be achieved within a timeframe to meet the installation schedule. The project also had to be within the budget and quality requirements.

Based on well-developed relationships with key suppliers, NCPI planned the manufacture of the grinding mill components to meet the delivery schedule.

The SAG mill required the manufacture of all new components: mill shell in halves, integral cast mill heads, single-stage gearbox with barring drive, girth gear and pinion gear, main motor with VVVF variable speed drive, lubrication systems, composite mill liners and a mill control panel.

NCPI was commissioned to manage the delivery of the mill components to Guinea in conjunction with the Hummingbird Resources plc team. This involved the packing and delivery of 500 tonnes of equipment from various manufacturing points worldwide.

Several challenges were met along the way, including Covid lockdowns in China, port shutdowns in South Africa, and backlogs in European ports. Despite all the challenges, the mill components were delivered in line with the mill installation requirements.

Further, NCPI had assisted Hummingbird Resources plc with a team of instrumentation, mechanical, and automation technicians to ensure that the SAG mill commissioning was completed efficiently and successfully.

Some graphic details below highlighting the SAG Mill transportation and installation.

Abnormal road freight of the 50-tonne mill shell sections in South Africa

Loading of the mill heads onto the part-charter vessel in China
Heavy lifts of the mill shell sections on site in Guinea
This project is the second project NCPI has been awarded over the past 5 years by Hummingbird Resources plc. In 2018 NCP supplied a 12’Ø x 18′, 1.25 MW Ball Mill for the Yanfolila project in Mali. NCPI is excited to have been awarded the opportunity to build the relationship with the client and we believe that it will continue to grow through continued after market and sales support. We look forward to what the future holds.
NCPI SUPPLIES NEW MILL HEAD AND TRUNNION IN RECORD TIME!

NCPI SUPPLIES NEW MILL HEAD AND TRUNNION IN RECORD TIME!

by | Nov 21, 2024 | Uncategorized

We’re happy to announce another success story at NCPI, this time for our client in Alaska.

The client contacted NCPI after a severely cracked trunnion journal was reported. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, NCPI immediately dispatched our engineering manager who travelled to the remote site to assess the trunnion journal. A detailed technical evaluation revealed that the trunnion was damaged beyond repair, but that the mill could continue operating while awaiting a replacement. The mill head was originally designed and supplied as an Integral head by another Mill OEM prior to 1980. NCPI reverse engineered the mill head and trunnion taking all critical dimensions from a detailed site evaluation, and then engineering the journal & spigot dimensions from first principles.

NCPI initially estimated 22 Weeks for manufacture based on expedited delivery due to the critical nature of the trunnion condition

The mill head was designed and drafted by NCPI and the order for the manufacturing was placed immediately. Utilzing NCPI’s long-standing relationship with an Established foundry and machine shops, NCPI was able to deliver the Mill head and trunnion within 18 weeks, 4 weeks ahead of schedule.

The mill head and trunnion were loaded into an Atlas Air cargo plane and flown to the mine site in Alaska. The parts are delivered to site and awaiting the planned shut to allow changeout. The client’s risk has been mitigated by a proactive approach, and world class performance by NCPI, once again living up to our reputation for exceptional service and reliability. We take pride in our ability to meet and exceed client expectations, once again confirming our status as a World-Class Grinding Mill Supplier.

Contact NCPI for any Mill Component replacement items for whatever Mill you have installed at your plant.

The mill head was re-designed as a split 180deg Head with a bolt on trunnion to allow the quickest possible manufacturing time and allow dimensions for Air freighting to site. This design also facilitated use of the overhead crane during the proposed future mill head changeout.