Delivering Power Resilience for Critical Mining Infrastructure at Olympic Dam

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Strengthening power reliability in a complex mining environment

Verbrec was engaged to support a major industrial power infrastructure project at Olympic Dam, addressing capacity constraints and operational risks within the site’s high-voltage network.

As a key delivery partner for control systems, Verbrec focused on improving the performance, flexibility and continuity of critical power infrastructure through advanced control systems engineering. The work was delivered in a live, high-voltage mining environment where reliability is essential to maintaining safety, productivity and future expansion capability.

132kV – 24VDC

Integrated across multiple voltage levels

End-to-end

Design, programming, testing and commissioning delivered

Zero disruption

Maintained operational continuity during live upgrades

Delivering resilience in a live, high-voltage environment

Mining operations at Olympic Dam require continuous, reliable power to support safe and efficient production.

Verbrec worked across complex, high-voltage systems, integrating new and existing infrastructure including switchyard modifications, transformers and switchgear. The project required careful coordination to manage brownfield constraints, limited site access and strict continuity requirements, ensuring upgrades could be delivered without interrupting live operations.

Engineering smarter control systems for reliability and flexibility

The project required targeted control system improvements that could enhance performance while maintaining system stability during integration.

Verbrec delivered advanced control system engineering solutions to improve system performance, reliability and maintainability across the surface power network. This included redesigning control strategies, upgrading communication infrastructure and implementing temporary systems to maintain continuity during hardware constraints. The team also supported asset management requirements and integrated OEM control systems into the existing network, ensuring seamless operation across multiple voltage levels.

Improved OLTC control strategy transitioning to independent systems
Enhanced communications using MVI56E-MNETC modules
Temporary PLC deployment to maintain operational continuity
Integration of OEM control system packages into existing infrastructure
Automation of FAT/SAT tools to improve quality and efficiency

Improving reliability while reducing operational risk

Delivering resilient power infrastructure with flexibility for future expansion

Verbrec’s work strengthened the reliability of critical power infrastructure while increasing operational flexibility to support future upgrades. Despite challenges such as site access delays and hardware constraints, the project was delivered within budget and maintained a high standard of quality. Proactive contingency solutions ensured uninterrupted operations, reducing risk across complex systems and establishing improved, repeatable design standards for ongoing development.