After many years of trying to break into the Ghana gold mining market with its modern mine winder drive and control systems, mine winder experts ACTOM Industry late last year achieved a breakthrough when it secured a contract to upgrade the drive and control system of a man-winder at a gold mine.

The mine is one of a number of gold mining operations in Ghana that are owned and operated by a leading international gold mining company, ACTOM Industry states.

“We view this contract as a substantial ground-breaking achievement for us, as we’ve been selected to replace original equipment manufactured and supplied by an original-equipment manufacturer not in any way connected with us,” says ACTOM Industry GM Janna Kapp.

“In most of our mine winder drive and control system contracts, we are responsible for the design, assembly, supply, installation and commissioning of each system ordered, but in this instance, due to various regulations prevailing in Ghana that render it unworkable to have us participate in any of the on-site work involved, we had to negotiate a project plan with the client which would allow us to deliver and execute the project without undue risk to either party,” Kapp adds.

Kapp explains that the agreed project plan ensures that the required standards and competence for the on-site work are adhered to without the presence of ACTOM Industry’s personnel in Ghana, and that in terms of the project plan the client undertakes to procure and supply the labour force required for the installation work.

The contract, due for completion in the first quarter of 2024, is for the replacement of the aging and outdated existing Ward-Leonard motor-generator set and associated electrical and control systems with ACTOM Industry’s direct current system, comprising a thyristor converter system which regulates the direct current voltage onto the retained 2 635 kW motor.

Other equipment that forms part of the new system includes transformers, switchgear and a safety and control system.

“Our system is more efficient, less expensive and less maintenance-intensive than the legacy system it replaces.

“Now that we have succeeded in winning this important winder upgrade contract in Ghana, we believe we stand a good chance of being awarded further winder drive and control upgrade contracts for some of the other operations there soon,” Kapp highlights.