Global technology company ABB has been selected by global mining company BHP to deliver, install and commission three friction hoists and a further electrical system for a Blair service hoist at its Jansen potash project, in Canada.

Installation of the initial two hoists is in progress, while the further two hoisting systems are being prepared for installation and commissioning between 2026 and 2027.

With land scarcity and soil nutrient depletion, ABB says the predicted demand for potash to fulfil global needs is rising. Used in fertiliser, potash will be crucial for both more sustainable farming practices and food security.

The company describes this as a milestone project for the mining industry, noting that one of the two production hoists will have the largest production capacity in the world, able to transport payloads of 75 t.

Its six ropes will be able to support the heavy loads from 1 km underground at a maximum speed of 18.3 m a second, supported by dual 7 700 kW motors.

As the mining industry evolves to keep up with increased demand, this project represents a breakthrough in enhanced productivity, says ABB.

The service shaft and production shaft have both been sunk in preparation for the hoisting systems. ABB supplied two hoists to the service shaft, including the cage.

Simultaneously, ABB delivered the hydraulic braking system, as well as electrical controls and powertrain for a temporary Blair cage hoist being commissioned in the production shaft, which will be in operation for two years while the higher capacity production hoist is prepared.

The latter will then be installed and is expected to be up and running for production use by 2027.

Additionally, each mine hoist is being supplied with ABB Ability Safety Plus for hoists, the world’s first fully Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL 3) safety solution.

The company notes that safety remains a crucial priority across the sector, with 48% of mining companies citing safety as a key motivator for transforming operations in ABB’s recent independently led survey for its ‘Mining’s Moment’ report.

ABB’s hoisting systems are leading the way, offering the highest levels of safety in the industry for all mine employees.

“The hoists and hoisting systems will play a crucial role in the efficient and safe extraction of potash, giving Jansen its competitive edge,” said BHP VP projects potash Simon Thomas.

“The new contract further strengthens our existing strategic partnership with ABB, and we look forward to continuing to work together as we plan to drive productivity, safety, and sustainability. Helping customers enhance productivity and safety with our solutions is key to us,” said ABB Process Industries global business line manager for hoisting Björn Jonsson.

“We are happy to continue our work with BHP on increasing the efficiency and productivity of the Jansen mine, while continuously helping to improve the safety of people and operations.

“ABB’s mine hoists are some of the safest in the world, adhering to the highest regulations, and we are pleased to combine this with enhanced capacity loading as the industry continues to look for solutions that maximize productivity in order to meet demand,” he added.

This new contract between ABB and BHP follows previous collaboration on the integration of power management systems for the Jansen potash project, and the creation of a multi-year global framework agreement.

The project aims to become the largest potash-producing mine in the world. Initial Stage 1 capacity of the Jansen potash project is expected to reach 4.5-million tons a year, while future development is projected to increase this by between a further 16-million tons a year to 17-million tons a year.