ABB has provided a tailored hoisting solution to the expansion of the Karowe diamond mine in Botswana, which will extend the mine’s life by over 12 years, through at least 2040.
The mine, operated by Lucara Diamond Corporation’s subsidiary Lucara Botswana, has been producing large, high-quality Type IIA diamonds since 2012.
As part of its expansion, two shafts are being sunk—one for ventilation and one for production. The production shaft will accommodate hoisting production, supported by a service hoist.
ABB’s hoisting team worked closely with both Canadian and South African engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors to identify the most efficient solutions for the project. “We have supported the team throughout the project lifecycle to ensure the best possible outcome,” said Danielle Koekemoer, local sales manager for Hoisting at ABB. “As a leader in the industry, we are committed to helping partners achieve their goals effectively and efficiently.”
The first phase of the project involved assessing how to best utilize the existing hoist fleet. ABB’s experts worked on refurbishing four hoists, including two kibble hoists and two sets of stage hoists, all of which came from the hoist complement owned by UMS Group. These hoists were refurbished locally under ABB’s guidance by local subcontractors.
Currently, the shafts are being sunk using these refurbished hoists. The kibble hoist used for the production shaft will be repurposed as the permanent hoist after the sinking is completed.
Following the success of this initial phase, ABB secured a second contract worth over ZAR 130 million to provide a new auxiliary hoist and service hoist. These will be used for transporting personnel and materials to the underground operations, and both will be installed by the UMS Group under ABB’s direction.
“Our collaboration with customers starts well before equipment is procured,” said Mike Davis, global product manager for Hoisting at ABB. “We ensure that the final solution is not only the best fit for their needs but also cost-effective.”
