ABB secures contract to supply gearless mill drive (GMD) and ring-geared mill drive (RMD) technology for Harmony’s Eva Copper Mine Project, a new open-pit copper operation in Queensland, Australia. With projections indicating a 24 percent rise in global copper demand by 20351, Eva Copper aims to establish itself as a key regional producer, targeting annual output of 60,000 metric tons of copper over a minimum 15-year operational period. The order was recorded in Q4 2025. Monetary terms remain confidential.
ABB’s systems will optimize grinding processes for maximum efficiency, reliability, and operational adaptability, aligning with modern concentrator designs featuring advanced processing workflows and low-risk technological implementations.
The agreement underscores growing demand for critical minerals and renewed investment in large-scale Australian mining ventures2, driven by global energy transition requirements. It also expands ABB’s global footprint of GMD and RMD installations supporting essential industrial material supply chains.
“ABB will integrate local production capabilities, international expertise, and field-proven technologies to advance Queensland’s most strategic new mining venture,” stated Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager, Mining & Materials, within ABB’s Process Industries business. “Our mill drive solutions will ensure dependable, high-efficiency grinding at the core of the Eva Copper Project, which will be instrumental in reinforcing copper supply chains for global energy transformation initiatives.”
The contract includes a 24MW GMD system powering the project’s 40-foot SAG mill, complemented by an 18MW variable-speed dual-pinion RMD system for a 27-foot ball mill. As these mills represent the site’s largest energy consumers, drive system efficiency was a decisive factor in Eva Copper’s technology selection process.
The project incorporates an eHouse engineered and produced in Australia to comply with local regulations and safety protocols. Domestic manufacturing will facilitate streamlined engineering, reduced logistics complexity, and seamless on-site integration, supported by a global ABB engineering team spanning Australia, Finland, and Switzerland.
Upon deployment, the combined GMD and RMD systems will deliver high operational availability and processing capabilities required to efficiently extract copper ore throughout the mine’s lifecycle.