Electrical power costs and uncertainty of supply, or even
availability for new projects, is a major consideration for
mines trying to ensure production and manage their future
costs.
Initiatives underway by mining groups to create sustainable
operations include; self-generation of power; investing in
their own thermal power plants, using fuel cells, renewable
power sources and using large diesel generators or
sophisticated mechanised equipment. However, all such
activities require substantial investments whose scale
directly depends on how much power is really required.
Many mines have tightened up on power management
since 2008. However, one of the largest and most
energy inefficient technologies is still in widespread use
– compressed air -- used to power pneumatic rockdrills.
This accounts for a significant (and avoidable) chunk of a
mine’s energy usage.
Novatek hydropowered rock drilling systems use 85% less
energy to achieve the same result. Hydro drills are also
much faster, drilling at more than 2x the rate of pneumatics,
thus offering substantial productivity gains as well.
So why are mines still using compressed air? Largely
because the systems pre-exist, infrastructure is in place and
it is simply easier to maintain the status-quo. However, with
rising power costs, this inefficiency carries an increasingly
avoidable cost penalty.
The savings on energy costs and the productivity gains
make implementing hydropower an economic proposition.
Hydropowered systems can be implemented progressively,
from a single stope system to complete raiselines to half-
levels, etc. This avoids large single capital outlays and
allows the technology to be rolled-out with little risk and at a
manageable pace.
Given that 85% energy savings are possible with a proven,
productive technology, hydropower should be seriously
investigated as a demand-side part of mine energy planning.
Where mines want to move to more mechanised mining
methods, Novatek are able to provide hydropowered
solutions that are appropriate to SA mining conditions
and skills. An example is the Modder E mine that uses the
Novatek hydropowered stope drilling system, a low-tech
mechanised solution that is also low cost, yet effective.
Energy Solutions for Mining
Tel: +27(11) 210-0700
www.novatek.co.za