Supplementary Power Supporting African Mining

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Aggreko, the world leader in the provision of temporary power and temperature control solutions, is witnessing exponential growth in demand for rental power within the African minerals sector as mining companies increasingly opt for rental solutions to back-up or supplement supplies from the local grid, or to act as primary power for projects located off the grid.

Aggreko provides mission critical power supplies to mining projects throughout the world. This is through the supply of full-lifecycle project power from initial project construction and development, to full production and project ramp-down. In situations when existing power supplies go off-line, due to equipment breakdown or maintenance or when grid supplies fall short, Aggreko provides rapid response, emergency power to keep mines operational.

Aggreko recently supplied a 350 kVA power package to the Kwale Mineral Sands Mine in south-east Kenya operated by Base Resources, an Australian titanium producer. Brought in to supplement local grid supplies, the system was used to power the silt dam pumps, a process vital to the ongoing operation of the facility. This was the second time in which Aggreko provided power to Kwale. During construction of the project, a 200 kVA system was on site for six months to power project offices and lighting throughout the mine.

"As mining continues its rapid expansion throughout the continent, the renting of critical power supplies is becoming increasingly prevalent," commented David Edwards, General Manager, Aggreko East Africa. "With eight service centres in Africa, supported by regional operations in Dubai and Paris, Aggreko provides an unparalleled level of service to the African mining sector. For our customers this means they are working with the global market leader, yet they are dealing with our people based locally."

The growth Aggreko has seen in mining across Africa has been accelerated by the continual expansion of its local presence throughout the continent with service centres located in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban, Walvis Bay, Luanda, Nairobi and Lagos.