Substation and Power Distribution Design for Mine in Arizona

New electrical infrastructure was required to support expanding mining operations and connect the site to the regional transmission system. The project included the development of multiple substations, overhead power lines, and supporting site infrastructure to provide reliable power for mining and processing activities.

The design needed to accommodate complex electrical loads, maintain system protection and operational safety, and support long-term reliability for critical industrial operations. The project also required coordination of civil and electrical design elements across a large site footprint while meeting environmental and operational requirements.

GFT provided detailed engineering design, procurement assistance, and construction support services for three substations, a primary power line, and a secondary branch power distribution system for the mine site. The electrical infrastructure connects to Tucson Electric Power through a 138 kV bus from the local substation.

The design included the development of the main substation, the concentrator area substation, and the shaft area substation, each configured to support site-specific electrical loads and operational requirements. The substations incorporate incoming overhead lines, high-capacity transformers, circuit protection equipment, and supporting electrical systems to provide reliable power distribution across the mine site.

Civil/site design services covered approximately 200,000 square feet of substation infrastructure and included grading, drainage, access road design, perimeter fencing, and stormwater management planning. The team also coordinated environmental requirements and engineering evaluations to support construction and long-term site performance.