Geda lifts aid South Pacific mine project

German construction hoist manufacturer Geda has installed four lifts at the Koniambo Nickel Mine Project in New Caledonia in the South Pacific.

The nickel mine, currently under construction and due to begin operations in 2015, is a joint venture between Société Minière du Sud Pacifique and the international Xstrata Group.

The plant consists of a laterite mine, an 11.5 km belt conveyor system, a 350 MW coal-fired power station, an ore processing plant, cooling water systems, its own port and various storage facilities.

The four Geda lifts have been installed to provide access to the plant’s flash dryer, which towers 100 m high.

The installation includes two Multilift P12 lifts, authorised for the transport of 12 people and/or 1500 kg up to a lifting height of 150 m. The P12 lifts have ten stop positions on the flash dryer.

Geda also installed two PH 2737 Single Lifts. The PH lifts are controlled by a frequency converter and can achieve a hoisting (lifting) speed of 65 m/min, a lift height of up to 400 m and are authorised for the transport of 28 people or 2700 kg.