Optimum water distribution between pumping stations of multiple mine shafts

During their daily operations deep mines consume large amounts of electricity. One electricity intensive operation is the constant dewatering of a mining shaft. Dewatering is the fourth largest consumer of electricity in the gold mining sector. This creates the opportunity for financial cost savings on electrical energy consumed, if the correct procedures are followed. Previous interventions focussed on optimising a pumping systems energy usage on a single shaft. With this study water distribution between multiple shafts and the effect on the energy used was investigated and the combined energy usage was optimised on a typical mining complex. By analysing the effect on the dewatering system of five interacting shafts, financial cost savings can be realised. Different pumping configurations were investigated to find the optimal operation. By using simulations the optimal operation was obtained.