Keeping a gold mine cool
Keeping A Gold Mine Cool
- The Challenge
Emergency cooling at 2.4 kilometres underground
- The Impact
Business as usual and a smooth transfer to the new system
- The Solution
A complete, temporary cooling system ready within days
Client:Harmony Gold Mine Company
Location:Free State, South Africa
Sectors:Mining
The Challenge
Delays to the Phakisa mine cooling system
Harmony Gold Mining Company had commissioned ice-making plants to cool their 2.4 kilometre-deep Phakisa mine. When they discovered the plants wouldn't be ready on time, they asked us to step in and find a way to bridge the gap, fast. With summer on its way, the mines wouldn't be safe without comprehensive cooling –but downtime would mean disaster for the business.
3,000 kWrCooling delivered with backup
3,700 kWrSurface-cooled plant
2.4 kmDepth of Phakisa gold mine
Zero downtimeWith our temporary cooling system
seriously, which is why we have brought in Aggreko to provide us with a turnkey package, which can be delivered quickly to the mine. The knowledge and experience Aggreko can provide in this area will play an integral part in the operation of the mine until the in-house cooling system is operational.