Embracing TECHNOLOGY
production,” says Marcro�.“ �is is leading to job losses and reduced re venues, w hich have signi cant downstream impacts on Zambia ' s economy and the welfare of its people.” Even without the drought, access to reliable electricity can be a challenge for mines, which o�en operate in remote locations far from the local grid system.“ Mines need a solution that provides reliable power fast to ensure they can continue to operate safely and remain pro table,” says Marcro�. Marcro� says that fast-track, turnkey power is a readily available and affordable solution for the mining s e c t o r t h a t c o u l d e l i m i n a t e vulnerability to an unreliable supply of electricity.“ Unlike permanent power sources, this distributed power solution uses easily transportable modules to provide the mine with
dependable and dedicated electricity when and where it is needed, in as fast as 30-90 days.” He explains that fast-track turnkey power features state-of-the-art gas turbine technology and diesel- and gas-powered reciprocating engine generators.“ �ese pop-up power plants are scalable from 10-100 MW( or more) providing the exibility to ramp up s u p p l y b a s e d o n t h e u s e r ' s requirements. �ese mobile power plants can be an ideal solution as they require minimal capital investment from the mine, which needs only to provide the land and fuel.” In addition, the capacity can be located near demand, reducing the need for t ransmission and distribut ion infrastructure, while also cutting the power loss that occurs as electricity travels long distances across the grid, says Marcro�
�e ability to self-power can be extremely bene cial to a mining operation when the national grid is under pressure, when transmission lines or power stations are down due to maintenance work, or when the mine is based in a remote location awaiting development of transmission and distribution infrastructure. W h e n i t c o m e s t o c o s t, i t i s understandable that mine operators in Southern Africa may hesitate at the idea of paying for a turnkey, selfpowering solution – whether as s u p p l e m e n t a l o r s t a n d- a l o n e generating capacity – when they are a c c u s t o m e d t o i n e x p e n s i v e hydropower.“ However, the region ' s mine operators ultimately must weigh the signi cant bene ts of self-powering with reliable and safe mobile generation against the heavy cost of lost production and revenue,” says Marcro�.
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Contact us: Australia + 61 7 3710 8406 Zambia + 260 212 222 606 sales @ scantech. com. au www. scantech. com. au FMDZ | May- June 2016 | Page15