August 2015
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World Coal
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59
David B. Durocher, Eaton, USA,
explains how
strategic power management solutions can help to
optimise mining facilities.
very mine in the world faces higher breakeven
points compared to a decade ago. Amid declining
ore grades, the appearance of alternative
technologies and the dearth of skilled talent in
many locations, there is an elevated need for owners,
operators and management teams to closely manage
capital and improve cost per tonne.
Power management plays a key role in these
equations. Reducing cost per tonne is the bottom line: in
2014, Deloitte estimated that energy represented 40 – 60%
of a mine’s operating costs.
1
At the same time, downtime is unacceptable; no
production literally means no profit. If a project, process
or piece of equipment is not working when needed, it is
likely to be driving costs up.
Power management decisions impact the entire
mining operation, including mine personnel and the local
environment. Energy efficiency, power factor, power
quality and overall power reliability are all critical to
maintaining uptime production. Likewise, factors such as
STRATEGIC
POWER
MANAGEMENT
E
