Why EC&I Protection is a Strategic Priority in Modern Mining

Mining operations are under pressure like never before. The industry must meet rising global mineral demand, comply with stringent environmental regulations, and modernize ageing infrastructure, all while safeguarding workers and maintaining uptime in remote, often volatile conditions.

For consulting engineers, specifying the right motor protection relays and pump protection systems is essential to:

• Reduce unplanned downtime
• Improve energy efficiency
• Ensure regulatory compliance
• Enable smart automation and predictive maintenance

NewElec delivers the advanced technologies and technical support electrical consultants need to meet these challenges, backed by over four decades of proven performance across Africa’s toughest mining environments.

 

Key Mining Trends Electrical Consultants Shouldn’t Ignore

In 2025, the mining sector continues to accelerate toward full-scale digital transformation, driven by five key trends:

1. Automation and Predictive Maintenance

Over 60% of new mining equipment is either fully automated or designed for predictive analytics. This shift is improving site productivity by up to 30%, while cutting downtime and maintenance costs. NewElec relays with event-logging and diagnostic capabilities support this transition, making predictive protection practical.

2. Surge Events on the Rise

Increased lightning activity—especially across Southern Africa—combined with grid instability, has made surge suppression, phase unbalance and single phase detection a non-negotiable in mine design. 

3. Demand for Critical Minerals

With copper, lithium, and rare earth demand set to triple by 2030 (EY), sustainability is becoming a design imperative. Smart pump relays help mines reduce water waste and energy use, while supporting modular, off-grid mining designs.

4. Integrated Renewable Energy

Electrified mining fleets and solar-powered operations are becoming more common—but require highly resilient motor and pump protection making phase–negative-sequence a desired feature in IED’s.

5. Compliance-Driven Upgrades

New local and international safety standards are pushing consultants to specify certified, report-ready equipment that can support regulatory audits and environmental licensing.

 

 

How NewElec’s Solutions Empower Mining Consultants

NewElec’s portfolio offers consultants a competitive edge through future-ready protection technology engineered for rugged environments.

Motor Protection Relays

• Protect against overload, phase loss, earth fault, and thermal risks
• Enable advanced event recording and diagnostics
• Support Modbus, Ethernet/IP, and Profibus for seamless SCADA integration

Earth Leakage Relays

• High sensitivity options for hazardous zones
• Instant or time-delayed trip modes
• Nuisance trip immunity in high-interference environments

Pump & Dewatering Relays

• Protect against dry runs, cavitation, and overloads
• Remote diagnostics via integrated analytics
• Ideal for borehole, dewatering, and tailings management systems

Control & Feeder Relays

• Support preventative maintenance strategies
• Interface directly with smart dashboards and centralised control
• Built to withstand high load, heat, and vibration conditions

 

 

Future-Proofing with Emerging Technologies

Mining’s shift to Industry 4.0 depends on real-time data, cross-platform compatibility, and reduced manual intervention. NewElec’s product range embraces this shift:

• IoT-ready hardware delivers real-time data for predictive maintenance
• Compatibility with Ethernet/IP, Profinet, and wireless systems enhances flexibility
• Remote configuration and firmware updates reduce site visits and speed up commissioning

As legacy systems phase out, NewElec enables seamless migration by integrating with both old and new infrastructure.

 

 

Ensuring Safety, Compliance, and Audit Readiness

Compliance is no longer just a box to tick; it’s a strategic imperative.

NewElec relays are certified to SANS, IEC, and ISO standards, assisting mines in:

• Passing safety audits
• Verifying power quality
• Streamlining compliance documentation

Automated event logging and reporting features reduce manual workload and improve visibility for operations teams and auditors alike. Auditing tools are a cost free benefit in our Front-end Software-contact Newelec Support for more information on how to harness this feature for your audits.

 

 

NewElec: More Than a Supplier — A Strategic Partner

NewElec goes beyond hardware. Their expert support ensures consultants and mine engineers get maximum value from every device.

Available Services:

• Pre-specification consultations and product matching
• On-site and virtual commissioning support
• On-site,remote or training at Newelec’s premises for teams
• Technical documentation, guides, and videos available 24/7

With decades of experience and an engineering-led support model, NewElec empowers consultants to deliver reliable, compliant solutions without compromise.

 

 

Results That Speak for Themselves

“We’ve seen a 15% reduction in electrical downtime and over 20% savings on maintenance budgets since switching to NewElec’s KD Series.”
– Maintenance Manager, Gold Mining Operation, Limpopo

“Pump reliability in our water management system has drastically improved. Integration with our SCADA was fast and seamless.”
– Electrical Engineer, Platinum Mine, North West

Real-world deployments across South African and SADC mines confirm the tangible impact of specifying NewElec protection solutions.