Ecuador mine power case: from load review to after-sales support

In Ecuador's 2024 rainy season, continuous rain made the grid unstable and affected the mine. We contacted HOHANK first to secure power for the mine and camp. As the discussion went deeper, we realized the real issue was not just having a genset; when power failed, crushing, dewatering, maintenance, and camp operations all stopped.

During the rainy season, outage recovery time is uncertain, and dewatering and road conditions amplify the risk. The mine owner was most worried that production and living areas would be affected at the same time: the crushing line stops, the dewatering pump stops, the maintenance workshop and camp power become unstable, and downtime losses accumulate quickly. So this was not about slowly comparing prices; it was about first confirming how to protect the critical loads.

HOHANK did not simply quote one generator set for us. They first asked us to separate production, dewatering, camp, and safety loads, then reviewed ATS, distribution, fuel supply, spare parts, and local after-sales support in Ecuador together. We chose HOHANK because they could consider generator stability, on-site integration, and follow-up response together, instead of just selling the equipment and ending there.

We first shared the mine's approximate location, the equipment to be powered, and a rough kW range. We thought HOHANK would recommend a model right away, but they first asked for the equipment list, voltage and frequency, starting methods, running hours, altitude, rainy-season road conditions, and expansion plans.

At first, the review felt very detailed. Later, we understood why kW alone was not enough. Crushers, pumps, air compressors, and conveyors start differently, while drainage and communications cannot simply wait at the end of the list. If the genset is selected only by total power, the site may look sufficient on paper but still suffer voltage drop during startup.

It shifted the question from “how many kW should we buy?” to “which loads must stay on first?” That mattered for ATS, distribution, fuel tanks, and spares because each item depends on the site load priority.

At first we cared about model and price. Then the discussion moved to how the system would connect to the site. HOHANK asked us to group loads into production, dewatering, maintenance, camp, and safety, then confirm which run together, which start with delay, and which need priority power.

What we care about most is whether the equipment can be used smoothly after it reaches the mine. That means how the low-voltage cabinet is configured, who checks grounding, who diagnoses later alarms, how spare parts are replenished, and how service response is arranged. These are more practical than looking only at one generator set's specifications.

They did not just send a generator price. They separated configuration scope from delivery scope: what HOHANK supplies, what the site or EPC team must prepare, and which data should be confirmed in advance.

The key was clarifying responsibilities before the equipment shipped. Foundations, cables, grounding, LV cabinets, lifting, fuel lines, exhaust, and site construction support all had to be agreed in advance. We used to think delivery meant the equipment reaching port; this time we saw how much site coordination still has to happen after arrival.

Start-up testing, load testing, ATS logic, protection settings, operator training, and handover documents were discussed in advance. HOHANK reminded us that many delays come not from the equipment itself, but from site connection and commissioning work that was not prepared early enough.

Our on-site team can prepare foundations, grounding, cables, hoisting and construction windows in advance, without having to wait for the equipment to arrive in port before starting coordination. For remote mining areas, one less wait can reduce a lot of uncertainty.

What matters most is having someone make the first diagnosis. Every trip to a remote mine has a cost. If the issue is an alarm, trip, hard start, abnormal voltage, or unstable load, we first need to know whether it affects critical loads such as dewatering, crushing, ventilation, communications, or camp power.

They ask for fault codes, controller photos, live video, running hours, recent maintenance records, and current load. If the site team can handle it first, they guide us. If it involves the engine, alternator, controller, ATS, or distribution configuration, they check it against factory technical data.

It is important to have someone local who can take the first step. We do not want every small issue to become an expensive site visit. Once the problem scope is clear, people, tools, and spare parts can be arranged much more efficiently.

First decide whether the site needs another generator set or a stable power plan. Mine power covers production, safety, dewatering, camp loads, and maintenance. If you compare only price or single-unit kW, you can miss the real causes of downtime.

Mine location, equipment list, voltage and frequency, expected operating hours, existing power supply issues, site photos, and expansion plans. The more complete the information, the easier it is for engineers to define the capacity range, startup risk, distribution scope, delivery responsibilities, and after-sales preparation.

Do not focus on the model too early. If site problems are still unclear, choosing a model faster can actually raise the risk of rework. Clarify the loads and delivery scope first; the project will be steadier later.