As global land resources become increasingly scarce and soil nutrients gradually depleted, the demand for potash, a key raw material for fertilizers, is continuously rising. As a global mining giant, BHP is fully advancing its Jansen potash project in Canada, aiming to meet the urgent global demand for potash through this project. The project is not only crucial for green agricultural practices and food safety but also represents a significant breakthrough in the mining industry.

Recently, BHP announced that it has selected ABB to supply, install, and commission three complete sets of friction hoists and an electrical system for its Jansen potash project. Currently, the installation work for the first two hoist systems of the project has commenced, and all hoist systems are expected to be installed and commissioned between 2026 and 2027. Among them, one main shaft hoist will have the world's largest load-lifting capacity, with an effective load of up to 75 tons, equipped with six steel ropes, a lifting distance of 1000 meters, and a maximum speed of 18.3m/s, driven by two 7700kW motors.

As an important part of the project, the excavation work for the auxiliary shaft and main shaft has been completed. ABB has provided two hoists for the auxiliary shaft and a hydraulic braking system, electrical control devices, and power transmission systems for a temporary Blair cage hoist. The cage hoist is currently in the commissioning stage and is expected to be replaced by a main shaft hoist with greater lifting capacity after two years of operation.

These hoists and lifting systems will not only play a crucial role in safely and efficiently mining potash but will also provide a competitive advantage for the Jansen project. ABB has equipped each mine hoist with its ABB Ability™ Safey Plus hoist safety system, the industry's first fully SIL 3 safety-certified solution, further enhancing the safety of mining employees.

Simon Thomas, Vice President of BHP's potash project, said, "This new contract further consolidates our strategic partnership with ABB, and we look forward to continuing to deepen our cooperation in driving productivity, safety, and sustainable development in the future."

ABB also stated that helping users improve productivity and safety is its important mission. This cooperation will not only enhance the efficiency and productivity of the Jansen mine but will also improve the safety of personnel and operations. As the industry continues to seek various solutions to meet market demand, ABB has perfectly combined the concept of mine hoists with capacity enhancement, setting a new benchmark for the global mining industry.

It is worth mentioning that before signing this new contract, ABB and BHP had already cooperated on the electrical management system for the Jansen potash project. The project aims to become the world's largest potash mine, with an initial annual capacity of 4.5 million tons (Mtpa) in Phase 1, and is expected to further increase to 16-17 Mtpa in the future.

With the commissioning of ABB's world's most powerful mine hoist, the BHP Jansen potash project will enter a new stage of development, injecting strong momentum into the global potash market.