KEY CRITERIA FOR INTEGRATING POWER SUPPLY INTO OPEN‑PIT MINE DESIGN AND PLANNING Mirna Cachay Guerrero (Presenting author: mirnacachay@gmail.com) ABSTRACT Power supply to equipment operating within the pit —particularly electric shovels and other critical units that rely on continuous energy delivery— represents a constant operational concern and a key variable in short-term mine planning, directly influencing loading continuity, face preparation, and overall operational efficiency. Although electrical supply is typically addressed at a conceptual level during feasibility and long-term planning stages, its detailed integration is often deferred to short-term execution, creating recurring conflicts for planners and leading to reactive infrastructure relocations as pit geometries evolve. This study presents an integrated electrical–mining planning methodology applied to a large-scale open pit operation supplied through a mediumvoltage distribution network, with electric shovels operating at both 13.8 kV and 7.2 kV. A baseline diagnostic was conducted, including operational context review, assessment of existing electrical infrastructure, analysis of current mining plans, and definition of technical constraints such as maximum catenary spans, blasting exclusion zones, and geotechnical platform requirements. Based on this diagnostic, planning scenarios were developed using projected mine surfaces (period maps) over a five-year horizon. The analysis evaluated shovel deployment by phase, strategic positioning of mobile substations, alignment of electrical routing with ramp geometry, and maintenance accessibility while integrating geotechnical and operational considerations into infrastructure placement. Results indicate that early incorporation of electrical constraints into mine planning reduces unplanned reconfigurations, improves power supply stability, and enhances operational continuity. The coexistence of multiple operating voltages further highlighted the need to consider electrical compatibility and substation mobility as design variables. The study concludes that electrical infrastructure should be treated as a structural component of modern mine design, contributing to improved planning reliability, reduced operational risk, and increased efficiency in increasingly electrified mining operations. KEYWORDS Mine Planning, Mine Power Supply, Mine Electric Supply, Mine Electrical Reticulation, Mine Development. 1. CONTEXT AND PROBLEM STATEMENT One of the most persistent challenges in open pit mine planning is the early
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