ABB says its manufacturing-driven grinding technology will play a central role in a major new mining development in Australia, after securing a contract to supply mill drive systems for the Eva Copper Mine Project in Queensland.
In a media release, ABB said it will deliver gearless mill drive (GMD) and ring-geared mill drive (RMD) systems for the project, which is being developed by Harmony Gold. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2025, with financial details not disclosed.
According to ABB, the project reflects growing demand for critical minerals and the increasing role of large-scale mining developments in supporting the global energy transition.
The Eva Copper Mine is expected to produce around 60,000 tonnes of copper annually over a minimum 15-year lifespan, amid forecasts of a significant rise in global copper demand.
ABB said its systems are designed to deliver efficient and reliable ore grinding, a key stage in mineral processing. The company will supply a 24MW gearless mill drive system for a 40-foot semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill, alongside an 18MW variable-speed dual-pinion ring-geared mill drive system for a 27-foot ball mill.
“ABB will bring together local manufacturing capabilities, global expertise and proven technologies to support Queensland’s most significant new mining project,” said Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager, Mining & Materials at ABB’s Process Industries division.
“Our mill drive systems will support reliable, efficient grinding at the heart of the Eva Copper Mine Project, which will play a pivotal role in strengthening the copper supply chain to support the global energy transition,” he said.
ABB noted that the grinding mills are expected to be the largest power consumers at the site, making drive system efficiency a key consideration in the project’s technology selection process.
The scope of work also includes an electrical house (eHouse), which will be engineered and manufactured in Australia to meet local regulatory standards and safety requirements.
ABB said local manufacturing is expected to support streamlined engineering, reduced logistics complexity and easier on-site integration, while project delivery will involve teams across Australia, Finland and Switzerland.
Once operational, ABB said the combined systems are expected to provide high availability and operational flexibility over the life of the mine, supporting consistent copper ore processing.
The company said the contract adds to its global installed base of mill drive systems used in mining operations, as demand for materials essential to modern industry and electrification continues to grow.
