This mine is North America's largest producer of copper, and the world's largest producer of copper cathode from the solvent extraction-electrowinning process, using multiple leach pads.
In support of stacking operations on one of these leaching sites, between 2007 and 2014 TNT was responsible for the design, supply and construction of a total of five 72”x250’ and three 54”x250’ Super Portable® conveyors. Each of these mobile conveyors was supplied with a design capacity of 2,600 t/h.
TNT’s patented Super Portable® technology allows fully independent movement of each piece of mobile conveying equipment on the stacking pad.
For the development of a new heap leach pad as part of this mine’s Southwest Mine-for-Leach project, TNT designed, supplied and erected three miles of overland conveyors and a Super Portable stacking system for the Southwest Pad, comprising a mobile tripper, 140’ long Portable Transfer Conveyor, five 72"x250' Ramp Portable conveyors, Horizontal Feed Conveyor, 275’ long Horizontal Conveyor, and 190' long Radial Stacker with 30' telescoping stinger. Equipment in this mobile stacking system has a capacity of 5,467 t/h.
The overland conveying consisted of four new 54" overland conveyors with lengths of 6,877’, 4,581’, 3,619’ and 694’. Overland conveyor S28 (shown at right) includes a horizontal curve of 6,000 ft radius and a return belt turnover system. With more than 5,000 HP installed power, these overland conveyors and their auxiliary equipment (belt scale, metal detector, etc.) are powered via four electrical rooms and distribution gear designed, supplied and installed by TNT.
TNT's scope for the project included mechanical, structural, electrical and instrumentation for the new equipment, and upgrades to four of the previously supplied Super Portables for use on the Southwest Pad as Ramp Portables.
