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OVERCOMING THE ODDS TO ENSURE PROJECT VALUE IS ACHIEVED

The SAG Mill installation in progress

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

The year 2022 was a year which saw a boom in commodity markets post-Covid. The need for new grinding mills for projects being developed worldwide was high, with foundries and fabrication workshops filled with new orders. Lead times for components were being increased dramatically based on full order books.

Early 2022, NCPI was approached by Hummingbird Resources plc to supply an 18’Ø x 31, 4.5 MW SAG Mill for their Kouroussa Gold Mine (KGM) in Guinea. NCPI discussed the needs and expectations of the customer to understand their specific project requirements clearly.

Delivery ex-manufacturing works had to be achieved within a timeframe to meet the installation schedule. The project also had to be within the budget and quality requirements.

Based on well-developed relationships with key suppliers, NCPI planned the manufacture of the grinding mill components to meet the delivery schedule.

The SAG mill required the manufacture of all new components: mill shell in halves, integral cast mill heads, single-stage gearbox with barring drive, girth gear and pinion gear, main motor with VVVF variable speed drive, lubrication systems, composite mill liners and a mill control panel.

NCPI was commissioned to manage the delivery of the mill components to Guinea in conjunction with the Hummingbird Resources plc team. This involved the packing and delivery of 500 tonnes of equipment from various manufacturing points worldwide.

Several challenges were met along the way, including Covid lockdowns in China, port shutdowns in South Africa, and backlogs in European ports. Despite all the challenges, the mill components were delivered in line with the mill installation requirements.

Further, NCPI had assisted Hummingbird Resources plc with a team of instrumentation, mechanical, and automation technicians to ensure that the SAG mill commissioning was completed efficiently and successfully.

Some graphic details below highlighting the SAG Mill transportation and installation.

Abnormal road freight of the 50-tonne mill shell sections in South Africa

Loading of the mill heads onto the part-charter vessel in China
Heavy lifts of the mill shell sections on site in Guinea
This project is the second project NCPI has been awarded over the past 5 years by Hummingbird Resources plc. In 2018 NCP supplied a 12’Ø x 18′, 1.25 MW Ball Mill for the Yanfolila project in Mali. NCPI is excited to have been awarded the opportunity to build the relationship with the client and we believe that it will continue to grow through continued after market and sales support. We look forward to what the future holds.