ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation, has been awarded a significant contract to deliver advanced grinding technology for Harmony Gold’s Eva Copper Mine Project in Queensland, Australia. The project represents a major step forward in strengthening the global supply of copper, a critical material for the energy transition.
The order, booked in the fourth quarter of 2025, includes ABB’s gearless mill drive (GMD) and ring-geared mill drive (RMD) systems, designed to enable highly efficient, reliable, and flexible grinding operations. While financial details of the contract were not disclosed, the deployment underscores ABB’s growing role in supporting large-scale mining developments worldwide.
The Eva Copper Mine Project is poised to become one of the region’s most significant new open-pit copper operations, with an expected annual production of approximately 60,000 tons of copper over a minimum mine life of 15 years. As global copper demand is projected to increase substantially in the coming decades, driven largely by renewable energy, electrification, and infrastructure development, projects such as Eva Copper are critical to ensuring supply stability.
ABB’s technology will play a central role in the mine’s concentrator operations. The company will design and deliver a мощный 24 MW gearless mill drive system to power a 40-foot semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill, alongside an 18 MW variable-speed dual-pinion ring-geared mill drive system for a 27-foot ball mill. These mills are expected to be the largest energy consumers at the site, making energy efficiency and operational reliability key considerations in the project’s technology selection.
The integrated GMD and RMD solutions will provide high availability and optimized performance, enabling efficient processing of copper ore throughout the life of the mine. ABB’s systems are engineered to support modern processing flowsheets while minimizing operational risk, ensuring the project benefits from both advanced technology and proven reliability.
In addition to the mill drive systems, ABB will supply an eHouse solution engineered and manufactured in Australia to meet local standards and safety requirements. The project will leverage ABB’s global engineering network, with teams based in Australia, Finland, and Switzerland collaborating to deliver seamless integration and execution. Local manufacturing capabilities are expected to streamline logistics, reduce lead times, and support efficient on-site implementation.
Commenting on the development, Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager for Mining & Materials at ABB’s Process Industries division, said, “ABB will bring together local manufacturing capabilities, global expertise, and proven technologies to support Queensland’s most significant new mining project. Our mill drive systems will ensure reliable and efficient grinding operations at the heart of the Eva Copper Mine, strengthening the copper supply chain and supporting the global energy transition.”
The contract reflects growing momentum in large-scale mining investments across Australia, driven by rising demand for critical minerals essential to clean energy technologies. It also expands ABB’s global installed base of GMD and RMD systems, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in mining innovation.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, committed to enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By combining engineering expertise with digital innovation, ABB helps industries improve performance while enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. With over 140 years of history and approximately 110,000 employees worldwide, the company operates across multiple industries and geographies. ABB is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm.
