Modern Mining June 2017

feature POWER SUPPLY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency can offset the high cost of self-supply

A major cost for mining ventures that start operations in remote areas is their independent power supply. This cost can be mitigated, however, if project champions look care- fully – and at an early stage – at ways of utilising energy more efficiently.

A ccording to Zest WEG Group CEO Louis Meiring, it is vital for planners to give the same consideration to the way power is actually used on site as they traditionally devote to the power supply side of the energy equation. “As a group, we provide power generation solutions on the one hand, but are also at the cutting edge of energy efficiency technolo- gies,” says Meiring. “So we can see the value in ensuring that all aspects of power utilisa- tion on-site are carefully analysed; we can also quantify the benefits of saving, say, 3 to 5 % of energy consumption when specifying how mining and processing equipment will be powered.” Group company Zest Energy specialises in power supply solutions, working closely with EPCMs or directly with customers to plan and implement optimal solutions for mine sites – whether on-grid or off-grid. This approach ensures that equipment lifecycle costs are well

From left, Alastair Gerrard, Managing Director of Zest Energy, and Louis Meiring, CEO of Zest WEG Group. controlled and contribute to overall project efficiency. Among its recent power installations are

The power plant earth mat being installed on site at Syrah Resources’ Balama graphite project in northern Mozambique.

44  MODERN MINING  June 2017