Vale Totten Mine - Sudbury Basin - Ontario - Canada: ABB Measurement Products
Vale Totten Mine - Sudbury Basin - Ontario - Canada: ABB Measurement Products
Vale Totten Mine - Sudbury Basin - Ontario - Canada: ABB Measurement Products
Developed over seven years, the Totten Mine uses the "The ore level gauge* must exist in a rugged underground
industry's most modern technology, automation, and area, characterized by high vibration and a damp ambient
environmental practices. Environmental facilities include atmosphere."
three water treatment plants, enclosed material handling
facilities, and progressive closure planning. *ABB LM80 laser gauge
ABB solution
Vale engineers selected the ABB LM80 laser gauge to
measure ore levels in the crusher jaws. This laser level gauge
is a non-contact measuring instrument designed for granular
solid materials like ores. Based on pulsed laser technology, it
embodies speed and accuracy in a single, easy to use and
install product.
measuring laser.
Fig. 1: ABB LM80 laser level gauge is installed on a swing arm above Fig. 3: A signal from the level gauge controls conveyor speeds to avoid
ore crusher jaws jams and overloading of ore
2 AT/LEVEL/002-EN | ABB Measurement Products | Vale Totten mine | Sudbury Basin | Ontario | Canada
To install the gauge, Vale engineers mounted it on an arm that Results
could be swung out over the jaw opening. This allows any
maintenance of the gauge necessary to be accomplished by The crusher jaws at the Totten mine now operates at optimal
simply retracting the swing arm back to the operator platform. efficiency, eliminating jamming and overloading.
Early in its operation, the LM80 gauge measured the base level MacIssac notes that the successful automation of the system
for the empty crusher jaws. A comparison of the measurement avoids manual operator intervention at the crusher. The
of ore in the jaws with the base level provides the necessary operator no longer needs be present at the controls.
data to control conveyor speeds.
Vale has since purchased two additional LM80 laser gauges
The LM80 gauge requires no software setup. It sends a for similar uses, and is considering a trial for a LM200 model
4 to 20 mA signal to a controller that continuously adjusts gauge capable of measuring ore level at a 600 foot distance
conveyor speed. It also provides relay outputs for ore level for a different application.
alarms.
Controller
Level
LM80
Speed signal
Laser pulse
Conveyor
Crusher jaws
Fig. 4: The controller regulates conveyor speed based on the ore level
signal from the ABB LM80 laser level gauge
ABB Measurement Products | Vale Totten mine | Sudbury Basin | Ontario | Canada | AT/LEVEL/002-EN 3
Contact us
AT/LEVEL/002-EN 09.2014
ABB Inc.
Level Measurement Products
Tel: +1 418-877-8109
+1 800-858-3847 (North America)
email [email protected]
www.abb.com/level
Note
We reserve the right to make technical changes or modify the contents of this
document without prior notice. With regard to purchase orders, the agreed
particulars shall prevail. ABB does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for
potential errors or possible lack of information in this document.
We reserve all rights in this document and in the subject matter and illustrations
contained therein. Any reproduction, disclosure to third parties or utilization of its
Fig. 5: Totten mine contents in whole or in parts – is forbidden without prior written consent of ABB.