Engineering & Mining Journal

JUL 2015

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Ensuring a reliable power supply is essen- tial to any exploration and mining project, with requirements varying enormously depending on the stage the project has reached. In remote areas of the world, local utility grids—if they exist at all—may not have the capacity to support a new power- hungry mine, and establishing a stand- alone generating station may be the only option. Innovation has long been the watchword in this respect, with mini-hydro and low-temperature geothermal schemes having been used to supply mines, as well as more conventional diesel-, natural gas- and oil-fueled generating capacity. These systems are, of course, reliant on fuel transport, so today cost-conscious mine operators are increasingly investigat- ing renewable energy as a potential replace- ment for a proportion of their conventional- ly generated power. The availability obvi- ously depends on whether the wind blows or the sun shines, but in suitable locations, this is fast becoming a viable option, with a number of companies now offering the technology needed to regulate and manage power being produced from different sources at different times of the day. This article looks at some of the options available for power supplies in places where grids are inadequate for mining and miner- al processing needs. Gensets for this market are rated in megawatts rather than the kilo- watts provided by the ubiquitous machines that can be towed behind a fitter's pickup; often rented, these have their place in the mining world too, but have their limitations in terms of permanent power supply. Cat Races to Plug a Power Gap Having been building engines and electric power systems for nearly 90 years, Cater- pillar can provide a complete line of diesel gensets, containerized power modules, heat recovery solutions and rental units, for both continuous or temporary needs. In addition, its gensets can be customized with a wide range of attachments, compo- nents and performance options tailored to fit specific applications, Cat told E&MJ; . The company also supplies microgrid systems for use in remote operations. Using an optimized combination of power sources—both renewable and from tradi- tional fuels—its Hybrid Microgrid solutions can be customized to improve power relia- bility, reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, and ultimately decrease the total cost of ownership, according to Cat. At the end of last year, Australia-based Perseus Mining faced a power problem at its Edikan gold mine in Ghana. With power shortages across the country, the govern- ment initially cut supplies to industrial users, including mines, by 25%, then in January increased this load shedding to 33%. Not surprisingly, Edikan's production capability was under threat. Within six weeks of Perseus placing an order with the local Caterpillar dealer, Mantrac, four Cat 3516 2,000-kVA prime power units were on site, with Mantrac supplying not only the gensets, but also undertaking the civils design, installation and commissioning. Also included in the $3.3 million contract were 11-kV switch- gear and step-up transformers, with the new power plant capable of replacing 5.8 MW lost from the national grid supply. The sales development manager for Mantrac's parent company, Unatrac, Damien Valente, told E&MJ; that the company's abil- ity to respond so quickly was a key factor in winning the contract. "These were off-the- shelf units, since Mantrac keeps large stocks in all the countries where it is the Caterpillar dealer, as well as having backup equipment in Antwerp, Belgium," he said. A 16-cylinder diesel engine, the 3516 has a long track record of stability and reli- ability, Valente added. "It can also be run on up to 70% natural gas, with a dynamic 34 E&MJ; • JULY 2015 www.e-mj.com Specializing in generators fueled by coal-mine methane, MWM supplied a seven-unit, 12-MW power plant to Shanxi Coking Coal's Xishan mine. Mine Power Options With many mines located in remote places, providing reliable electric power can be a challenge. Here's a look at some of the stand-alone systems available, and at the potential for mines to plug in to renewable energy resources. By Simon Walker, European Editor Mine Power Options P O W E R S Y S T E M S

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