ABB helps Boliden unlock major productivity gains in Garpenberg mine hoist operations | ABB

When ABB launched its world-class mine hoist maintenance standard in 2024, the key insight was that significant gains in availability and productivity can be achieved by shifting from reactive to proactive and predictive maintenance. By identifying and addressing potential failures and efficiency losses at an early stage, the risk of unplanned downtime is minimized while creating opportunities for further optimization gains.

A real-life example of this is the collaboration between ABB and Boliden, where the two companies have worked together to optimize the hoisting cycle for the mine hoist at Boliden’s Garpenberg mine.

The Garpenberg mine is one of the world’s oldest mines still in operation, while also being one of the most modern and productive underground mines for the extraction of complex ore containing zinc, lead, silver, copper, and gold. The mine hoist plays a crucial role in ore transportation to the surface.

The work to optimize the hoisting cycle began with a joint workshop where the teams, representing all functions involved in the mine hoist, reviewed how different stages of the hoisting process could be improved and where time losses could be eliminated. All ideas were welcomed, and everything from low-hanging fruit to more extensive rebuilds was identified.

“We looked at every aspect — from where to place a broom so that it is quickly accessible when needed, to how to carry out an efficient motor replacement,” says Eric Carlsten, ABB. “Boliden has worked with preventive maintenance for a long time. When you have a strong maintenance program and equipment in good condition, you can also fine-tune parameters to optimize production.”

By leveraging ABB’s monitoring and optimization solution for mine hoists, ABB Ability™ Smart Hoisting, experts from Boliden and ABB were able to visualize the hoisting cycle and then analyze the data to see how adjustments could contribute to potential gains.

“For this type of optimization to be possible, you need extensive knowledge of the entire mine hoist process — everything from mechanics and hydraulics to control systems and electrical systems,” says Eric Carlsten. “We are very pleased to work together with a forward-leaning customer like Boliden, who is always looking to innovate and improve its existing processes.”

And the result is remarkable. The hoisting cycle optimization project has reduced cycle time by 18 seconds — a figure that enables a significant increase in production rate.

ABB in hoisting

ABB has the unique capability to design, supply, install and provide long-term service and support of entire mine hoist mechanical and electrical systems. We supply friction hoists as well as drum hoists of various types. We also supply the shaft equipment necessary for productive hoisting processes. Advance your hoist system to new levels now and get access to a vast network of global hoist experts.