Practical low-cost method to sustain mine compressed air savings

Abstract

Efforts to ensure a sustained growth path for the mining industry are vital for its survival, as well as the communities that depend on it. Mining companies in South Africa thus need to focus on reducing their operational costs in order to remain competitive. Mines can reduce their operational costs by optimising compressed air production and curbing oversupply. However, complex and expensive solutions are impractical, and the need for a simple, lowcost solution to match compressed air supply with the required demand is evident. A simplistic and inexpensive step-by-step methodology was subsequently developed. The methodology focused on identifying cost-saving initiatives to reduce compressed air network inefficiencies. These inefficiencies were evaluated, and a suitable solution strategy was developed. The methodology was implemented on the compressed air network of Mine A and proved to have no negative effects on the production of the mine, while annual energy cost savings of R1,1-million were shown to be viable.