With existing and new mines in remote areas requiring electricity, power generation equipment manufacturer and energy service company Himoinsa’s bespoke and integrated solutions can support mines with a prime or a backup power system should there be a electricity outage.

“We understand the modes of operation, different technologies and different applications needed at mine operations. “We provide mines with a load profile analysis before recommending a solution, which places us in a good position to provide clients with cost-effective, flexible and high-quality power solutions,” says Himoinsa business development strategic accounts Etienne Lewis.

He adds that, with load profiling, the company tries to understand the customer’s load in terms of type and the starting method of the largest loads to be started with the generator. Himoinsa uses a step load analysis tool and can provide the results of this together with recommendations on sizing of the generator. Himoinsa integrates the solution into new or existing infrastructure on the customer’s site. The company provides balance of plant items so as to provide a turnkey solution.

Clients can opt for either an outright purchase of a power solution or an intermediate power solution in the form of rental applications. Himoinsa also offers a long-term build, operate and transfer solution or a build, operate, own and transfer solution – essentially a lease to purchase which option can assist mines to minimise capital expenditure and select an off-balance-sheet approach.

Himoinsa understands the urgency of deploying power solutions and has put together a solution specifically designed for the mining environment, Lewis points out.

“The fact that we have European quality equipment manufactured to ISO standards and held in-stock locally, together with our after-sales support of our original-equipment-trained technicians and our best-in-class product warranty of at least two years, puts us in line to support the power plant requirements of a mine as it grows,” says Lewis.

He mentions that health and safety is a priority in the mining industry and that this has driven mines to install additional power sources to increase productivity and power security. These backup solutions result in mines having a sustainable operating environment, especially in terms of unforeseen power outages. This is particularly critical for underground mine operations, to quickly evacuate staff in an emergency. The company does this by effectively integrating its power plants within the mine’s infrastructure and synchronising with the utility supply, providing rapid response solutions.

Customised Solutions

Himoinsa provides clients with a modular design in their power plants, where the power supply can effectively be increased or decreased to best suit the mine’s power requirements as they change during its life-of-mine. “As a company, we provide tailored solutions to meet capital expenditure and operational expenditure requirements, adding to the flexibility of the company’s offerings. For example, a mine that needs to run baseload can also select a gas or heavy fuel oil technology, while a backup solution would be better suited to a diesel power plant. All of these technologies are offered by Himoinsa, ensuring that the company can tailor solutions to the specific mine’s requirements.

Lewis says the company provides services for many of the large and well-known mining houses that are often looking for security in power supply; it also provides services for junior miners as most of their operations are new, ramping up over a period, and there is mostly no grid connection.

An advantage of mines having hybrid power stations is that fuel costs are reduced and thus also impact on the mine’s carbon footprint, says Lewis. Mines using hybrid solutions are good as part of that fuel is substituted by renewable energy.