Press Release ABB wins contract for its first gearless mill drive system in iron ore processing

Two 23 megawatt gearless mill drive systems enable grinding optimization, energy and cost savings at Serra Azul mine, .

Baden, Switzerland, December 7, 2011 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, was recently contracted to supply gearless mill drive (GMD) systems for two 38-foot semiautogenous grinding (SAG) mills at the Serra Azul iron ore mine in Brazil.

The Serra Azul mine unit, owned by MMX Mineração e Metálicos, an EBX Group company, is located in the iron quadrangle of , next to - the heart of the Brazilian state. The Tico-Tico and Ipê mines form this unit with a current production capacity of 8.7 million tons of iron ore per year.

ABB’s scope of supply includes two GMD systems for 38-foot 23 megawatt SAG mills comprising transformers, ring motors and complete containerized electrical houses (e-houses). The variable speed drive solution allows for optimization of the grinding processes for ores with varying properties and different mill loads. The GMD eliminates the need of critical high maintenance mechanical equipment such as gearbox, ring gear and pinion. It enables operational optimization, energy and costs savings, high system efficiency and availability while reducing maintenance needs at the same time.

This order is ABB’s first GMD reference in iron ore processing. ABB’s strong presence in Latin America and its state-of-the-art grinding solutions helped to secure the contract. The Serra Azul order will be ABB’s seventh installed unit in Brazil and the 48th in Latin America.

The order was part of a multi billion US$ mine expansion, projected to increase annual iron-ore processing capacity to over 24 million tons per year by 2015, allowing MMX to triple its output at Serra Azul. The expansion involves construction of an iron ore enriching plant and a railroad terminal.

MMX Mineração e Metálicos, established in 2005 as part of the EBX Group, operates and owns high quality iron ore mines in Minas Gerais and , Brazil. MMX plans to expand its operations to Chile, where it currently also holds mining rights.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 130,000 people.

For help with any technical terms in this release, please go to: www.abb.com/glossary

For more information please contact: ABB Switzerland Marion Hug Marketing Communications Minerals business unit (Baden/Switzerland) Tel: +41 58 586 71 33 e-mail: [email protected]