MINE POWER KNOWLEDGE
Mine power guidance built around real project decisions
This is an expandable article library, not a second copy of existing solution pages. Each original article answers a narrower mine question and connects readers to the relevant engineering pillar page.
Second original engineering series
What should a mine generation RFQ include to produce technically comparable bids?
What should a mine generation RFQ include to produce technically comparable bids?
Align loads, duty, environment, electrical interfaces, fuel, testing, spares and deviations so every bidder answers the same project boundary.
Read the full article →Project planning & loads
Define capacity, starting duty, criticality and expansion boundaries first
When does a mine plant need N+1 redundancy?
Prove redundancy through the largest-unit outage, maintenance cases and recovery tests.
Read the full article →Original engineering article · Project Planning & LoadsHow should a mine load list be prepared for generator sizing?
Turn running demand, starts, coincidence, restoration and expansion into sizing evidence.
Read the full article →Pillar content · Capacity planningWhy can a generator trip when equipment kW looked correct?
Combine running demand, starting current, simultaneous loads and future margin.
View the resource →Pillar content · Expansion marginWhy can new equipment remain unusable without reserved capacity?
Review busbars, cables, distribution, paralleling interfaces and future loads.
View the resource →Prime power & fuel cost
Use operating hours, load factor and refuelling conditions to plan long-term power
How should remote mines control fuel contamination?
Connect delivery, tanks, filtration, sampling and quarantine in one fuel-quality chain.
Read the full article →Original engineering article · Prime Power & Fuel CostHow should annual fuel use and refuelling frequency be calculated?
Use hourly load, model-specific fuel data, usable storage and logistics margin.
Read the full article →Pillar content · Fuel economicsHow should fuel autonomy, refuelling and operating cost be planned?
Build the cost boundary from load profile, tanks, logistics and service downtime.
View the resource →Pillar content · Weak-grid and off-gridHow should prime and standby power be separated where the grid is unreliable?
Define supply roles, critical circuits, ATS, paralleling and restoration logic.
View the resource →Pillar content · Lifecycle costWhy can the lowest purchase price create the highest remote power cost?
Include fuel logistics, maintenance, spares and production downtime.
View the resource →Mine environment
Altitude, heat, dust and remoteness change usable output and service strategy
How can a mine generator room prevent hot-air recirculation?
Review airflow resistance, dust, multi-unit layout and loaded temperature evidence.
Read the full article →Original engineering article · Mine EnvironmentWhat must be checked across engine, radiator and alternator at altitude?
Separate combustion, heat rejection, electrical temperature rise and installation limits.
Read the full article →Pillar content · Environmental deratingWhy can altitude, heat and dust make nameplate power misleading?
Review derating, cooling, filtration and maintenance together.
View the resource →Pillar content · Remote supportHow should remote service and spare parts be planned?
Set the support boundary from downtime risk, logistics lead time and site capability.
View the resource →Production-critical loads
Crushing, dewatering and tailings need their own starting and restoration logic
What must be checked for VFD and soft-start loads?
Review starts, harmonics, regeneration, sequence and fault operation together.
Read the full article →Original engineering article · Production-Critical LoadsWhy do dewatering, tailings and ventilation need a restoration sequence?
Stage recovery from consequence, permissives, interlocks and available power.
Read the full article →Pillar content · Crusher startingWhy can a crusher pull voltage down despite modest running kW?
Review starting method, sequence and transient response together.
View the resource →Pillar content · Safety-critical powerHow long can dewatering and tailings remain without power?
Use flooding risk, start time, fuel autonomy and dedicated circuits.
View the resource →Power systems & expansion
As capacity and distance grow, coordination matters more than a single specification
How should a mine power plant restore from black start?
Restore DC, the first unit, buses and critical loads from a dead-plant state.
Read the full article →Original engineering article · Power Systems & ExpansionWhen should a mine move from LV paralleling to 6.3–11 kV generation?
Use distance, current, bus, fault duty, operation and expansion to set the boundary.
Read the full article →Pillar content · Medium-voltage generationWhen should a mine consider 6.3–11 kV generation?
Use current, transmission distance, the existing bus and protection scheme.
View the resource →Pillar content · Diesel and storageCan storage reduce low-load running and wasted fuel?
Assess load profile, operating schedule and control strategy first.
View the resource →Pillar content · Legacy upgradeShould an ageing generator be repaired, paralleled or replaced?
Compare failure rate, fuel, distribution limits, future load and outage window.
View the resource →Maintenance, spares & faults
Use operating evidence to shorten downtime instead of relying on the calendar alone
How should remote alarms be escalated and closed?
Define points, priorities, field action, engineering escalation and closeout.
Read the full article →Original engineering article · Maintenance, Spares & FaultsHow should remote-mine spare-parts safety stock be set?
Combine criticality, failure, lead time, site capability and storage constraints.
Read the full article →Pillar content · Daily checksWhat should operators inspect before starting a mine generator?
Check fluids, leaks, batteries, control mode, alarms and ventilation.
View the resource →Pillar content · Running hoursWhy should mine generators be serviced by operating hours?
Adjust intervals for continuous duty, load factor, dust and fluid condition.
View the resource →Pillar content · System testingWhat should ATS, switchboard and load testing prove?
Verify transfer logic, voltage, frequency, load allocation and protection.
View the resource →Pillar content · Fault evidenceWhat information helps an engineer diagnose a fault faster?
Preserve alarm codes, timeline, readings, photos, video and service records.
View the resource →Procurement, delivery & acceptance
Include installation, commissioning, site support and project evidence in the delivery scope
What technical data belongs in a mine generation RFQ?
Make loads, interfaces, delivery, testing, spares and deviations comparable.
Read the full article →Original engineering article · Procurement, Delivery & AcceptanceWhat should FAT and SAT verify and retain?
Connect requirements, conditions, criteria, raw records and punch closeout.
Read the full article →Pillar content · Installation & serviceWhat installation and service boundaries should be confirmed before delivery?
Define site conditions, commissioning duties, spares and response method.
View the resource →Pillar content · Engineering supportWhen is remote review enough, and when is on-site engineering needed?
Use data quality, fault complexity and downtime risk to choose support.
View the resource →Pillar content · Case reviewWhat can be learned from an Ecuador mine power project?
Review site interviews, loads and delivery decisions.
View the resource →No article matches exactly? Start with an engineering triage
Share the mine location, load list, operating hours, altitude, temperature, existing supply and symptoms. An engineer can identify whether capacity, system architecture, fuel or maintenance evidence should be reviewed first.