Generators for the Mining Industry: Dig Deep, Dig Safely
Including oil and gas production, mining in the United States is a traditionally robust industry. From generating $216 billion in 2000 to a high of $683 billion in 2015, in 2016 it produced $359 billion.
Much as with the agriculture industry, advancements in technology have allowed for these increases without necessitating a dramatically larger workforce: 521,000 employees in 2000 went up to only 611,000 in 2016.
Uninterrupted power is key to successful mining operations. They are usually located in remote locations, often in harsh environments, and may be over a hundred miles from the nearest power grid.
Given that, these commonly sprawling enterprises can require all power to be produced on site for years at a time for everything from lights to elevators to digging equipment to robust ventilation and related safety systems.
Due to the increased power needs for underground operations, a keen awareness of a variety of factors is necessary to make sure you buy generator units load tested and guaranteed to meet your requirements.
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Evolving Power Needs for Remote Mining Locations
While mining operations with access to the grid will utilize it for power, a long-term mining enterprise in a remote location will typically move through several stages of power production as its focus changes from exploration to construction to expansion:
1. Temporary On-Site Power
During the exploration phase, temporary and portable power should be adequate. Power usage will usually be at a lower level and not be required 24/7. In addition, due to the possibility of exploration not leading to a long-term base of operations, being able to quickly move to a new location will maximize resource allocation.
2. Primary Power
Once the construction of a large-scale mining operation is initiated, the power grid will likely be inaccessible until transmission lines are built. Until that time, a large site may require up to 50 MW of power production, equal to the energy generated by 20 of the largest long-haul tractor trailers.
3. Backup Power
Once a remote site is connected to the grid, the on-site gen sets can be converted for use as backup power sources. This is particularly important as underground operations must closely monitor the presence of gasses such as methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide to ensure employee safety – as well as allow quick access to the surface in the case of an emergency
Power Ratings of Generators for the Mining Industry
There are different power ratings depending on the type and duration of power being generated, and gen sets will usually have different ratings based on which type of power is being used as opposed to being built to meet only one rating.
Understanding each power rating in relationship to situational needs will allow you to maximize equipment usage:
- Continuous Operating Power (COP): Supplies power in a continuous, constant load with an average output range of 70-100% for an unlimited number of hours per year.
- Prime Rated Power (PRP): Supplies power with an indefinite running time in a variable load setting with average load not exceeding 70% and with no more than 500 hours a year at a 100% load and no more than a 10% overload per 24 hours.
- Limited-Time Prime (LTP): Supplies PRP-equivalent power up to a 100% load for no more than 500 hours a year with no overload.
- Emergency Standby Power (ESP): Supplies maximum power available for a variable electric load not to exceed 70% of capacity and with a total operating time of no more than 200 hours per year.