West Gold Mining Limited has chosen two Caterpillar G3500K series gas generator sets to power a new gold mining operation in Kazakhstan’s Aktobe region, Mining Technology reported. The remote site lies almost 300km from the nearest city and lacks existing electricity infrastructure, prompting the project team to assess how to establish a dedicated supply.
Extending the electricity grid was considered, but the team judged the distance and associated expense to favour onsite generation. Following a feasibility study, West Gold Mining and equipment distributor Borusan Cat selected a gas-fired system intended to run continuously as the mine’s primary power source, without relying on the national network.
The units will supply the site directly in an electrically isolated configuration. Their modular arrangement is intended to allow adjustments to electricity provision as construction advances and production grows, according to Mining Technology. The two generators will establish the initial supply, although the project’s final power capacity, commissioning schedule and anticipated fuel consumption have not been disclosed.
West Gold Mining chief executive Beken Erik said the company needed an independent power supply that would also support its longer-term plans. He identified the equipment and the availability of local service support as considerations behind the choice. The generators are to be installed in containerised enclosures designed for seasonal temperatures ranging from roughly -30°C in winter to more than 30°C in summer.
Maintenance resources and access to spare parts also influenced procurement. Borusan Cat will deliver technical support, while a Customer Value Agreement covering ongoing maintenance is planned following installation and commissioning. Mining Technology noted that gas-fired generation can serve remote industrial sites where extending a network is technically challenging or economically unattractive, but that this option depends on the availability of a suitable fuel supply.