VEO’s mobile substation increases operational reliability at Boliden’s Kevitsa mine

The substation will increase production efficiency by allowing Boliden to operate on electricity to a wider extent.

VEO has signed a contract with return client Boliden under which VEO is to deliver a 5MW mobile substation which will provide power to part of Boliden Kevitsa mine’s machinery. The substation will increase production efficiency by allowing Boliden to operate on electricity to a wider extent, which is in line with the company’s aim to reduce its diesel consumption.

Boliden Kevitsa in Sodankylä is one of the largest open pit mines in Finland. The main products are nickel and copper concentrate. In addition, a significant amount of platinum, palladium, gold and cobolt is extracted.

VEO’s 5MW substation will distribute 6.3 kV to drilling rigs and excavators at the Kevitsa mine. The substation building is designed to be mobile so that it can be moved around at the mine to strategically optimal locations, both when it comes to keeping cables as short as possible, as well as keeping the power distribution protected from blasting operations.

To meet the requirements, VEO is reinforcing its standard modular substation building.
“This is an exciting project in the sense of its field of application,” says Jakob Lövdahl, Vice President for Industry at VEO, and continues: “The project supports VEO’s strategy of providing solutions for the electrification of the infrastructure. Further, it shows our capabilities to design and build tailor-made solutions based on the client’s individual needs, bearing in mind high quality and short delivery times.”

At VEO, the design phase is completed and currently, the factory is preparing for the construction phase. Complete construction, installation and testing will be done in Vaasa before the final delivery at the end of the year. Before that, the client will attend the factory acceptance test, which also will include the necessary training. When the substation arrives at the mine, it will be ready for immediate use as no further installations are needed.