Track 6: Mining Engineering and Mine Planning

Figure 2 – Typical in-pit power supply configuration for an electric shovel The assessment also considered key physical characteristics of electrical infrastructure, including substation footprints, switch house dimensions, pole height, catenary span, and electrical assembly configurations. The review identified several limitations in the existing electrical infrastructure documentation and integration within mine planning. While an updated single-line diagram was available, the spatial positioning of poles, substations, and switch houses was not fully reflected in mine layouts. In addition, several inactive or obsolete poles and electrical lines were identified in the field. The operational configuration also resulted in extended trailing cable lengths, ranging from approximately 1.1 km to 2.5 km, within a distributed system comprising eight substations and eight switch houses. During the review, several key aspects of the electrical infrastructure and its interaction with mine planning were identified. The operation operated under a distributed electrical configuration consisting of eight substations and eight switch houses. While an updated single-line diagram was available, the graphical integration of electrical infrastructure within mine planning layouts was limited, and no fully updated topographic positioning of poles, substations, and switch houses was reflected in planning maps. Field inspections also identified the presence of several inactive or obsolete poles and electrical lines. Under the existing operational configuration, extended trailing cable lengths were commonly observed, ranging approximately between 1.1 km and 2.5 km. As the pits progressively deepened, increasing cable lengths contributed to voltage drops and longer delays in re‑energizing shovels and other in‑pit equipment. In addition, cases were identified where poles and overhead lines were installed for a very short service period (approximately 3–4 months) before being removed, reflecting insufficient long‑term planning and decisions primarily driven by short‑term operational requirements. Finally, some electrical infrastructure was located in areas that became increasingly difficult to

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