RopeCon material transport system for the world's biggest aluminum producer

In August 2007 the fifth and the biggest ever Doppelmayr RopeCon installation is scheduled to start up in Jamaica. Developed by Doppelmayr and patented worldwide, the RopeCon material transport system was first used in 2001 for the construction of a road tunnel in Strengen am Arlberg, Austria. The system destined for Jamaica has been purchased by the world's biggest aluminum producer Alcoa, USA. It will transport around 1200 metric tons of bauxite an hour from Mount Olyphant over a distance of 3.4 km and a vertical descent of 470 m to the Alcoa processing plant. The operation responsible for all material transport systems within the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is the subsidiary Doppelmayr Transport Technology GmbH, based in Wolfurt, which was founded in spring 2006.

The biggest RopeCon System ever built will be handed over to the world's largest aluminum producer Alcoa in August 2007 on the Caribbean island of Jamaica, some 60 km southeast of Kingston. Doppelmayr was awarded the contract in December 2005. The system will carry 1 metric ton of bauxite every 3 seconds from the mining facility on Mount Olyphant over a distance of 3.4 km and a vertical descent of 470 m to the processing plant in the valley. In comparison with other means of transport, the RopeCon system has a particularly low environmental impact. In Jamaica it will save 1200 truck journeys a day along with the associated emissions of CO2 and fine dust. In addition, the system itself generates around 1300 kW of braking energy per hour which is fed back into the power network. By way of comparison: 3.5 operating hours would be sufficient to provide a typical Austrian household (single-family unit, four people excluding hot water) with electricity for a whole year.

The RopeCon system is a bulk material and unit load handling conveyor based on ropeway technology, which is unique worldwide. Particular benefits include the capability to cover very long spans (=distance between two towers) and its use in impassable terrain. To be added to these is the relatively low environmental impact coupled with very high availability and transport capacity as well as low operation and maintenance costs. The brand name "RopeCon" is derived from the words "rope" and "conveyor", and is protected worldwide.

The task of developing and marketing all material transport systems within the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is the responsibility of Doppelmayr Transport Technology GmbH, based in Wolfurt, Austria. Managing director of the wholly owned subsidiary founded in 2006 is Hermann Frühstück, who is already working on further RopeCon contracts with his 12-member team. "The global demand for RopeCon is huge," explains Frühstück. "We're planning to double our manpower within the next 12 months and are constantly looking for skilled technicians, design engineers and sales staff to work on an international basis."

The installations are planned and manufactured in Wolfurt. A major part of the value creation is therefore generated in Austria.

Technical specifications RopeCon "Mount Olyphant":

Factbox Doppelmayr Holding AG 2005/06:

Inquiries:

Hermann Frühstück
Doppelmayr Transport Technology GmbH
Holzriedstrasse 29
6961 Wolfurt/Austria
T +43 5574 604 1200
F +43 5574 604 1209
E-Mail: dtt@doppelmayr.com
Internet: doppelmayr.com

Mag. Ekkehard Assmann
Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH
Rickenbacherstrasse 8-10, Postfach 20
A-6961 Wolfurt, Österreich
Tel. +43 5574 604-223, Fax +43 5574 75590
email: ekkehard.assmann@doppelmayr.com
Internet: doppelmayr.com