Abridgment of electricity´s part in open cut copper mining

This paper describes the electrification of a large open cut copper mine, covering 725 acres, operating 23 modern electric shovels, 39 special type electric locomotives, approximately 50 mi. of overhead trolley construction, and a rather elaborate shovel and locomotive feeder system. The main power supply and receiving substations for the electrification are described, and the method of protecting main line trains between mine and concentrating plants with automatic block signals directed by dispatcher through centralized traffic control, illustrated. Miscellaneous uses of electricity at the mine and plants are discussed, and operating statistics covering one year´s operation are included.