For over a century, Atlas Copco, a global leader in industrial solutions, has been a pioneer and trusted partner in the mining industry. We’ve consistently delivered comprehensive, innovative, and reliable solutions across the entire mining value chain, from upstream exploration to downstream processing, offering a wide range of products and services tailored to every operational need.
Yunnan Tin Group (YTG), the world’s leading tin mining and processing enterprise, boasts the longest and most complete tin production chain globally. With a rich history spanning over 120 years, YTG is the birthplace of China’s tin industry and remains its undisputed leader.
Atlas Copco’s collaboration with YTG began in 2004 when YTG sought to replace its aging and inefficient air compressor equipment. Atlas Copco successfully emerged from a competitive bidding process involving numerous renowned domestic and international compressor brands. Over nearly a decade of partnership, Atlas Copco air compressors have earned YTG’s recognition and trust due to their high performance, exceptional stability, and superior after-sales service. In 2007, YTG honored Atlas Copco as one of their “Top 10 Excellent Material Suppliers,” selected from over a thousand vendors. Currently, over 100 Atlas Copco air compressors are in operation at YTG, accounting for 90% of all their air compression equipment.
At Song Mine, YTG’s largest mining base, 100% of the air compressors powering its tin mining operations are from Atlas Copco. This includes 29 GA500, GA250, GA110, and GA55 oil-injected screw compressors, along with an ES130 internet-based remote monitoring and centralized control optimization system. Mr. Gu Guang, Head of Equipment at Song Mine, shared, “Ore mining demands extremely high performance from air compressors. Besides requiring long hours of full-load operation, the humid, high-temperature, and dusty underground environment poses severe challenges to air compression equipment. Since their deployment, Atlas Copco air compressors have demonstrated excellent performance and ultra-high stability, which were crucial factors in our decision to choose the Atlas Copco brand.”
As experts in air systems, Atlas Copco deeply understands the application of compressed air across various fields and provides customers with the most efficient compressed air solutions. The GA series compressors are designed for efficiency, reliability, and durability, delivering high-quality compressed air to customers even in the most demanding operating conditions. Every GA series compressor is designed, manufactured, and tested according to ISO9001, ISO14001, and ISO 1217 standards. They feature Atlas Copco’s latest generation of patented oil-injected screw rotors, ensuring long-term, stable operation at the lowest possible running costs. With reinforced reliability design, GA series compressors can operate in ambient temperatures as high as 55°C, maintaining high efficiency even in extremely harsh environments and setting new standards for reliable performance. Beyond high performance, the GA series compressors also establish new benchmarks for environmental protection and energy efficiency. The newly designed screw rotors can reduce energy demand by 5-6%, helping customers save costs while contributing to environmental preservation.
The ES centralized optimization system is specifically designed for users with multiple compressors. It intelligently controls the operation of each compressor within the system based on overall compressed air consumption, significantly reducing unload idling time. Precise pressure control also helps lower network pressure, leading to energy savings of up to 30%. Furthermore, the remote monitoring system transmits various operational parameters and information via communication modules to the customer’s monitoring terminal, allowing users to effortlessly oversee on-site compressor operations from their office and manage multiple machines with ease.
“In December 2012, Song Mine achieved a new record for the entire YTG, with a single-month tunneling advance of 464.3 meters. This record is inseparable from the high efficiency of Atlas Copco air compressors, especially the customized compressed air system solution tailored to Song Mine’s specific operational characteristics,” Mr. Gu continued. “Additionally, Atlas Copco has assigned a dedicated resident service engineer to promptly handle maintenance, commissioning, and servicing, ensuring production progress and eliminating any concerns for the user.”
From the outset of the solution proposal for YTG, Atlas Copco customized GA series compressors with a 6KV input voltage and 7 bar discharge pressure, specifically designed to meet the unique demands of the mining industry. Considering the differing above-ground and underground environments, large GA500/250 compressors were primarily designed for above-ground use. For underground spaces, where volume is limited and air supply lines are short, the compact GA110 air-cooled oil-injected screw compressor was recommended to effectively reduce pressure loss and improve drilling efficiency. Heavy-duty air filters were also incorporated to effectively protect core compressor components from wear in high-dust environments. As YTG is located in a high-altitude plateau region, where atmospheric pressure is lower than normal, appropriately sized motor power models were selected to prevent insufficient air volume due to reduced motor performance caused by low air pressure.
“Atlas Copco can provide the most suitable product solutions based on customer needs, helping them achieve the most efficient compressed air system and optimizing their entire production process,” said Wang Lichen, Senior Sales Engineer for Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique. “Given the unique operating environment of the mining industry and its after-sales service requirements, Atlas Copco’s strong after-sales service team also provides comprehensive support in terms of personnel allocation and readily available spare parts inventory.”
“Currently, Yunnan Tin Group is undergoing a transformation phase, increasing mining investment and improving efficiency, with an aim to achieve an annual output value of 100 billion RMB within the next five years. The ‘Tin Mountain’ region has over a century of proven reserves, indicating a long road ahead for the partnership between Yunnan Tin Group and Atlas Copco,” concluded Mr. Gu. In addition to GA series oil-injected screw compressors, since 2012, YTG has also procured efficient mining equipment from Atlas Copco’s Mining and Rock Excavation Technique division, including Boomer and Boltec series drill rigs, scooptrams, and Diamec series core drilling rigs.
Atlas Copco is a world-leading industrial group with a global presence in compressors, expanders and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools, and assembly systems. Through innovative products and services, Atlas Copco delivers solutions for sustainable productivity. The Group was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has customers in more than 180 countries. In 2012, Atlas Copco had approximately 39,800 employees and revenues of SEK 90.5 billion (EUR 10.5 billion).
Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique business area provides industrial compressors, gas and process compressors, expanders, air and gas treatment equipment, and air management systems globally, along with specialty rental services. It innovates for sustainable productivity in the manufacturing, oil and gas, and process industries. Its main product development and manufacturing centers are located in Belgium, Germany, the United States, China, and India.
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