Melbourne, 10 January 2008
Siemens Australia and New Zealand has won a contract to supply six SGT-800 industrial gas turbines to CITIC Pacific Mining’s Sino Iron Project, Western Australia’s first significant magnetite iron ore mining and processing venture. The A$5.2 billion project is located in the Pilbara region, about 100km south west of Karratha, and proposes to export 27.6 million tonnes per annum of magnetite concentrate and pellets for 25 years.
Siemens Executive General Manager Power Generation, David Pryke, said this latest contract win followed the recent order for two SGT-800 gas turbines for the Condamine Project in Queensland and demonstrates keen demand for Siemens’ gas turbine technology.
“Siemens success in winning the contract with CITIC Pacific Mining reflects the improved efficiencies and increased megawatt range of our new industrial gas turbines, which were recently upgraded to meet the needs of our customers,” Mr Pryke said.
“By responding to industry demands for a better solution to the need for a continuous, self-sufficient supply of power to large-scale mining projects, Siemens has positioned the company as a world leader in the supply of these high-efficiency gas turbines,” added My Pryke.
In addition to the gas turbines, Siemens has won the contract to supply gearless mill drives to the Sino Iron project.
“Our ability, as one of the world’s largest manufacturers, to offer the customer a total solution, drawing upon the expertise and technological adaptability, gives us a competitive advantage in the industrial market,” Mr Pryke said.
The Sino Iron Project is unique in that unlike other iron ore producers in the region, it will process magnetite ore prior to export, rather than direct shipping unprocessed hematite ore. Magnetite ore requires additional processing and pelletising before it can be used in the steel-making process, hence the requirement for gearless mill drives and for significant on-site power generation.