CalPortland has announced the commissioning of a new finish cement grinding mill and distribution system at its Oro Grande cement plant in California, US. The project is the culmination of the partial plant modernisation programme that was originally completed in 2008, before the acquisition of the facility by CalPortland. The Oro Grande cement plant was purchased from Martin Marietta Materials Inc. on 30 September 2015.
The new mill will restore the shipping capacity of the Oro Grande plant to its original design. The development will bring an additional 64% in total production capacity directly to the Oro Grande plant. The plant provides several types of cement to the California and Nevada construction markets. The project will cost US$58.5 million and includes the construction of the finish ball mill and two new cement shipping lanes with two new distribution silos.
The project began in January 2018 and was constructed by general contractor thyssenkrupp and sub-contractor TIC (The Industrial Co.), in collaboration with CalPortland’s Engineering Services team. At the peak of project construction, it provided local employment for 240 workers.
The mill is a Polysius two compartment mill, with a production capability of 200 short tph. It is equipped with the most advanced and efficient motor, mill, and separator technology, as well as the most efficient cement cooler design technology. Reducing an additional 500 hp. of energy requirement, the system also employs mechanical conveyance (a bucket elevator) to convey finished product to the new silos. The additional systems are being added to the Oro Grande facility, which is one of the most recently modernised and efficient cement plants in the US.
“The addition of this modern finish mill and efficient distribution system allows the plant to operate to the best in class standards as originally designed,” said Steve Regis, Senior Vice President of Corporate Services at CalPortland. “It will help provide the industry with the additional supply required for necessary rehabilitation and rapidly developing infrastructure in California and Nevada.”