Eriez® Builds One of the World's Largest Electromagnets


60-Ton Electromagnet Built at Erie, Pennsylvania Headquarters and Shipped to Northern Chile Mine

Erie, Pa. - Eriez®, the company that earned the Guinness Book of World Records title for the world's largest electromagnet in 1997 by building a 60-ton magnet known at the company as "Big Moe," has recently built and shipped a replica, appropriately known as "Big Moe II." "It's truly a sight to see," said Tim Shuttleworth, Eriez President and CEO. "A grown man standing next to it appears to be the size of a child. The incredible contrast gives you a real appreciation for how massive the magnet really is."

"Big Moe II," or by its official name, the SER 700 Electromagnet, measures an incredible 12-½ feet wide, 9-1/3 feet long and 7 feet high. Shuttleworth explains that the extraordinarily powerful magnet will be put to use at Codelco Gaby Mine in northern Chile, where it will be positioned after the mine's primary crusher to protect downstream equipment.

Jos© Marin, Director-Americas Export Division, who handled all aspects of this sale, explained that four smaller magnet models, Eriez SE2400s, which will also be utilized at the Codelco Gaby Mine, were also a part of this order and were shipped at the same time as the SER 700. "The SE2400s are 78-inches wide and attract tramp iron up to 24-inches away from the magnet face," said Marin.

Marin said that the purchase price for the five magnets exceeded $700,000. "The savings the magnets will bring Codelco through improved efficiency and reduced downtime will be significant." He continued, "We expect they will realize a full return on their investment very quickly."

Marin explained that the size of the colossal SER 700 mandated that special arrangements and precautions be taken to ensure the magnets arrived safely and on-time. Special shipping permits had to be obtained and extensive planning was required.

The 60-ton magnet was crated and loaded onto a cargo truck in Erie, taken to a rail station and loaded onto a rail car, and finally brought to port and loaded to a ship for the last leg of the long journey to Chile.

About Codelco

The Corporaci³n Nacional del Cobre de Chile, Codelco, is a mining, commercial and manufacturing company owned by the Chilean State. Codelco has the largest copper reserves in the world, representing around 20 percent of the total amount on Earth. The Chilean Andean region is considered the main copper deposit, with about 40 percent of the reserves identified in the world.

Codelco operates several mining divisions in central and northern Chile. The Gaby Mine is Coldelco's newest division. Gaby is a copper oxides deposit located just south of Codelco's Chuquicamata mine in northern Chile. It is a joint-venture project with China's largest metals trader, state-owned China Minmetals Corp.

Eriez is recognized as world authority in advanced technology for magnetic, vibratory and inspection applications. The company's magnetic lift and separation, metal detection, x-ray, materials feeding, screening, conveying and controlling equipment have application in the process, metalworking, packaging, recycling, mining, aggregate and textile industries. Eriez manufactures and markets these products through eleven international facilities located on six continents. For more information, call toll-free (888) 300-ERIEZ (3743) within the U.S. and Canada. For online users, visit www.eriez.com or send e-mail to eriez@eriez.com. Eriez World Headquarters is located at 2200 Asbury Road, Erie, PA 16506.

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