MINE POWER
The safety concept includes fast arc flash detection, 600 V-compliant design and features such as dual input and TX through-feed capability. The transformer itself is removable, facilitating inspection, maintenance and replacement when required.
“ A key advantage lies in the modular design and optimised accessibility,” Becker says.“ In most cases, service and maintenance work can be carried out directly underground without removing the entire unit from the mine. This significantly reduces downtime compared to large, nonmodular systems.”
The modular architecture extends beyond mechanical accessibility. Integrated ENDIS contactor technology enables flexible power distribution through configurable plug-in modules. Becker explains:“ Depending on operational requirements, the system can be equipped with circuit breakers, high power combination contactors or twin contactor units. These modules allow the power distribution configuration to be adapted to site-specific applications, enabling quick adjustments without structural modifications.”
Enhanced control functionality further increases operational transparency. Users can access measurement values, system status information and diagnostics via a HMI interface. Module settings can be configured according to site requirements, supporting both local and remote monitoring concepts.
If relocation or removal is necessary, the DTS is engineered accordingly, with its structural design, integrated transport eyelets and defined lift, suspension, pull and tow points allowing for safe shaft lowering and efficient underground handling.
The company concluded:“ With this approach, Becker Mining Systems provides a power distribution solution that combines integration, maintainability and transport optimisation in a single system – directly addressing the structural challenges of modern underground mining operations.”
Switching gears
It was a depth of experience across industries, combined with in-house design expertise and a responsive approach to business, that underpinned Trafo Power Solutions’ recent success for an Australian mining customer.
According to Trafo Power Solutions Managing Director, David Claassen, the company designed and supplied a skidmounted transformer solution for an open-pit mine in Queensland. The turnkey substation project allows the customer to step up its generated power supply from 400 V to 6.6 kV, with the mobile substation able to accompany the customer’ s generator set around the mine site.
“ Our 2,000 kVA substation includes the necessary low voltage and medium voltage switchgear and gives the customer quick and easy plug-and-play functionality when moving locations,” Claassen says.“ This means there is no need for time consuming termination of cables when the unit is moved and reconnected to the generator. To facilitate mobility, the skid is equipped with hooks for dragging as well as push bars for moving it into position.”
He notes that it was important to consider the high vibration levels when specifying the components to be included in the design, with rigid mounting for strength and the use of anti-vibration equipment. Meeting the region’ s specific standards was also an important aspect of the contract.
“ The design needed to be conducted within the requirements of Australia’ s national standards and specifications, with which we have extensive experience from our work there with other customers,” he explains.“ Further, the customer also wanted certain equipment specified that was common in the Australian market as this was an important consideration to ensure adequate technical aftersales support.”
Digitising power networks
VoltVision, the high voltage electrical data analytics company, forged into 2026 off the back of a transformative year that saw it join ABB’ s SynerLeap innovation hub, win new Tier 1 mining clients, and complete flagship deployments across Africa and the Middle East.
This growing footprint is positioning VoltVision at the centre of the mining industry’ s drive to cut energy costs, improve network reliability and reduce emissions, it says.
Through SynerLeap, VoltVision has strengthened its position within a global energy ecosystem focused on intelligent power networks and industrial decarbonisation, while gaining access to ABB’ s research and development capabilities, market channels and partners to help scale its cloud-based ViViD electrical energy and power quality analytics platform for its mining customers worldwide.
The year also saw the company further enhance its offering with the development of an Energy Management Strategy solution that combines its plug-and-play data extraction technology with deep expertise in industrial power networks. Working with Caledonia Mining, VoltVision used this capability to identify significant savings across the power network of its asset portfolio, demonstrating how high resolution data and advanced analytics can unlock and maintain quick win reductions in energy consumption and operating cost.
Large-scale installations were also completed at Sukari Gold Mine in Egypt, where ViViD is being used to digitise the power network, including across the power generation and processing plants. At Sukari, VoltVision enables engineering teams to monitor and analyse power in near real time, optimise the interaction between different generation sources and automate data driven reporting for engineering, finance and ESG teams, the company says.
VoltVision closed the year by securing a major new mining customer in Zambia, with Konkola Copper Mines( KCM) set to deploy the ViViD platform across three of its Chingola sites. By digitising KCM’ s electrical networks and delivering real time power quality and energy analysis, VoltVision will support the operator’ s efforts to stabilise supply, reduce unplanned downtime and target lower costs and carbon intensity across its operations.
Throughout the year, VoltVision continued to deliver efficiency gains and electrical network transparency for existing clients including Endeavour Mining, Resolute Mining, Allied Gold and Barrick, where ViViD provides a single source of truth using auditable data to manage power across multi-mine portfolios, it said.
Lease-to-own power
Release recently signed a seven-year leasing agreement with Tshukudu Metals Botswana, a 100 %-owned subsidiary of Australia-headquartered Sandfire Resources, for a 21 MW solar power plant at the Motheo Copper Operations in Botswana.
The agreement represents an important milestone in the continued expansion of Release’ s mining portfolio in Africa, the company says, while also building on Scatec’ s established presence and strong track record in Botswana following the successful commissioning of its 120 MW solar portfolio in the country.
The project will provide clean renewable energy to Sandfire’ s copper producing asset at Motheo, and support its decarbonisation ambitions, Release added.
The Motheo operations include the T3 and A4 open-pit mines, as well as the A1 development project. It produces a copper concentrate( containing a silver by-product) from its centralised processing facility, which has a demonstrated capacity of 5.6 Mt / y comprising conventional crushing, grinding and flotation processes.
Release will now commence project implementation with start of operations expected by the end of 2026. Once operational the plant will generate approximately 40 GWh annually and cover about 30 % of Motheo’ s annual electricity demand, it claims.
14 International Mining | MARCH 2026