Modern Mining February 2024

ENERGY SOLUTIONS

WEG Africa’s bespoke solutions deliver energy While the mining sector pursues ambitious goals on its journey to a lower carbon future, energy security remains an indispensable pil lar of project viability – from concept and planning stages through to operational success.

Alastair Gerrard, WEG Africa’s Energy Systems Executive.

“ W ithout a secure and reliable supply of energy, any mining operation will find it difficult to prosper,” says Alastair Gerrard, WEG Africa’s Energy Systems Executive. “Right from the outset, whether a new mine or an expansion or optimisation project, min ing companies need a high level of confidence in the security of energy supply to accurately assess project viability and return on investment.” Gerrard argues that it is not just a question of sourcing or generating the necessary power, but also the efficient utilisation of the available supply to ensure cost effectiveness over the longer term. Mining operations can be compromised if energy Joe Martins, WEG Africa’s Sector Specialist in Mining and Industrial Business Development.

Electrical reticulation platforms with motors in operation.

usage is not optimised throughout their lifecycles, due to the risk of exceeding available supply con straints or budgets. “With rising energy costs in many regions of Africa as well as often unreliable grid systems, mines are increasingly needing to take a holistic view of how they source and use their energy,” he explains. “This is made easier when they collaborate with a partner who has a depth of electrical and energy

Low voltage variable speed drives in a motor control centre.

project experience combined with a wide spectrum of techni cal solutions and products.” He points to the value of bespoke power solutions in mining, where mines source energy from a centralised plant using one energy source or a combination of sources in the form of a hybrid energy system. Where the local utility is provid ing a base load of supply, for instance, it may be necessary to integrate standby solutions to facilitate continuous opera tions. The power distribution on site, he emphasises, needs to be carefully planned to serve the specific needs of each aspect of the operation.

24  MODERN MINING  February 2024