Honeywell jvs on copper production technology

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July 2007 PLCs, DCSs & Controllers

With production of 1,8 million tons of fine copper per year (about 15% of the world's production), Codelco is reputed to be the world's largest copper mining company. Through its New Kairos Mining venture, the company will utilise Honeywell's automation systems to improve concentrator plant performance.

Honeywell recently announced a joint venture with this company that will provide process automation technology and services to improve the performance of the Chilean mining company's concentrator plants. The joint venture named Kairos Mining, will help Codelco improve plant process stability and business performance.

"For large manufacturers like Codelco, standardising practices across operations is one of the most effective ways to make processes more efficient, and therefore, more profitable," said Jack Bolick, president of Honeywell Process Solutions. "This program will help Codelco maximise the use of its concentrators, which will increase productivity, reduce costs and improve business sustainability for the long term."

Codelco workers will be trained to use Honeywell technology to reduce process variability in the crushing, grinding, collective flotation and thickening processes used in the concentration plants. The program will start this year at Codelco's Andina division, where initial testing was performed. The initiative will gradually be incorporated into the company's El Teniente and Codelco Norte divisions over the next five years.

Kairos Mining will also provide process automation and control services for Codelco's other mining and industrial activities, as well as provide technology and software licences. The venture will coordinate and provide associated services to support automation system lifecycles. Similar services and solutions will also be available to other mining companies in the future.

Kairos Mining will implement solutions such as Honeywell's main process automation and control technology, Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS), which integrates critical subsystems within concentrator plants and gives operators better information about how processes are functioning.

For more information visit www.honeywell.com/ps or contact Jason Whitehead, Honeywell Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 695 8000, hsa@honeywell.com, www.honeywell.co.za

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Honeywell jvs on copper production technology

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