Maximising Uptime and Efficiency: The Role of Gearless Mill Drives in Modern Mining Operations

In this episode, we chat with Wilson Monteiro, Global Business Line Manager for Gearless Mill Drives at ABB who are a leading provider of technologies and solutions for various industries, such as mining in motion, process and robotics. Wilson tells us about ABB, gearless technology, predictive maintenance, automation, digitalisation, and much more around the process and technology space. KEY TAKEAWAYS Wilson has a diverse background in electrical engineering, sales, and management, with extensive experience in automation and artificial intelligence. His career has spanned various roles at ABB and other companies, leading to his current position managing the gearless mill drive business globally. Uptime is critical in the mining industry, not only for profit but also for sustainability. Keeping machinery operational minimises CO2 emissions and maximises the efficiency of existing assets, which is increasingly important as the industry faces pressure to reduce emissions and improve productivity. Gearless mill drives (GMDs) are highlighted as a more energy-efficient solution compared to traditional technologies, offering up to 3.6% energy savings. This efficiency is significant when considering the large number of GMDs in operation globally, contributing to lower carbon footprints in mining operations. The shift towards integrated electrification, automation, and digitalisation is essential for modern mining operations. This integration leads to safer operations, fewer personnel on-site, and improved communication between systems, ultimately enhancing productivity and safety. Predictive maintenance, powered by AI, allows for proactive management of equipment by using real-time data to anticipate issues before they occur. This approach not only extends the life of machinery but also enhances operational efficiency and safety by reducing unexpected breakdowns. BEST MOMENTS "Uptime used to be all about profit. Today, it's about sustainability, too. Even a small hiccup can mean millions in lost production."  "GMDs cut out mechanical losses because there is no gearbox or coupling. That alone gives you up to 3.6% energy savings." "It's not cost versus reliability. They go hand in hand. Reliable systems mean fewer unexpected shutdowns, which means fewer people exposed to risk." "Historically, mining has always been an industry slow to adopt change. There's a  "Today, I can see some companies moving in a different pattern. Tech Quebrada Blanca is one of them; they have the best approach for operating a mine." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        [e-mail] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ X:              https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast  Web:        http://www.mining-international.org This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS https://new.abb.com/mining/grinding/gearless-mill-drives https://www.linkedin.com/company/abb/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent,