Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) recently replaced two of its 40-year-old Ball Mill Units at a cost of USD$14.59 million.
The new Ball Mill units will bolster OTML’s processing operations and production output and generate revenue for our shareholders.
The project was led by the Processing Maintenance Department with the support of other OTML departments and local contractors.
Manager, Processing Maintenance Department, Joe Aufo said over the years, repair and maintenance were conducted, including partial major component replacements but a complete replacement was never done.
“This is a milestone achievement for the team as both Ball Mill 1B and 2A have never been completely replaced since they were first installed in the early days of the mine. And we did that in almost two months without any safety incidents and we also finished the installation of the Ball Mill 1B two weeks ahead of the scheduled completion date.”
Mr Aufo thanked the teams who completed this project and cited the opportunity for young members who took the lead in planning and executing such a historic project. He added that such projects also offered a learning opportunity for many of the team members to upskill themselves.
General Manager Operations, Ben Burger commended the team for the successful project completion stating they can be proud of their contribution to these projects that ultimately supports OTML’s vision and production targets.
This project’s completion will see the ball mills production increased by USD$ 150,000 per day when both new ball mill units are functioning.
OTML is projecting a K40 Billion revenue to be generated over the next 27 years, thus the successful completion of strategic improvement projects like this will further support the realisation of revenue for the impact communities, and the people of Papua New Guinea.
