Your mine needs a written gas specification before equipment is locked, not after the first unexpected shutdown. Pipeline gas, associated gas and treated plant gas are not interchangeable, and a turbine that looks right on paper can struggle on site if the fuel is not what it was designed for.
Start with the gas that actually arrives
Record the pressure range, heating value, Wobbe index, contaminants, liquids, sulphur content and seasonal variation of the gas at your skid. Agree sampling points, laboratory methods and who decides what happens when a batch falls outside the limits. With that envelope in hand, used or new gas turbines, a remanufactured GE Frame 6B and gas engines can be compared on real fuel, not assumptions.
Bridge with a Frame 6B while gas treatment matures
A remanufactured GE Frame 6B can provide dependable megawatts while gas treatment, compression or interconnection is completed. Check records, inspection scope, controls condition, fuel-train integrity and local service access before you decide. Natural gas engines can cover camp loads, essential auxiliaries or a different duty from the main turbines, so each machine has a clear job your operators can sustain.
Gas trains, protection and operators
Filtration, heating, knockout, metering, shut-off valves and protection settings must match your fuel specification and the turbine maker’s guidance. Every alarm and every gas-quality excursion should have a named owner. USP&E connects engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, training and O&M so the procedure is practised on site, not left in a binder.
Grid and island studies should also cover what stays online when gas quality forces a temporary derate.
Evidence before commitment
Before you commit, your evidence pack should identify the equipment, the inspection boundary, exclusions, fuel and electrical assumptions, and how transport, lifting, civil works, controls and commissioning fit the programme. USP&E inventory is the starting point, with full records available for technical review.
Phase toward FX-45 as the mine grows
If your load will grow in phases, plan the later blocks now. FX-45 is USP&E’s new modular gas turbine, built for hyperscale and industrial growth: 45 MW in open cycle and 108 MW in a 2×1 combined-cycle block, configurable for 50 Hz or 60 Hz, with capacity slots from 2028.
Start on available equipment today, reserve the pad, interconnection and fuel capacity, and the FX-45 phase plugs in instead of starting over. See FX-45 at a glance.
Why owners choose USP&E
USP&E is a full-service engineering, EPC and O&M company, not a broker. One team designs, builds and runs your plant, so nothing falls between contracts.
Proof from recent work
Mining · Tanzania
Perseus Mining, Nyanzaga Gold Project
USP&E supplied 28 Cummins KTA50 containerised gensets for the Nyanzaga Gold Project in Tanzania.
Mining · Mali
Barrick Gold, Loulo-Gounkoto
USP&E refurbished the 104 MW power station, rebuilding more than 80 MW of Caterpillar CM32 engines and adding new zero-hour capacity.
O&M · Mali
Power plant recovery, Mali
USP&E took over a 100+ MW plant of 15 Caterpillar CM32 engines, restored availability to about 95% and cut maintenance cost per engine by 66%.
Your path from first call to reliable power
- Define mine loads, gas sampling plan, gas quality limits, frequency and the cost of an outage.
- Compare a remanufactured GE Frame 6B, verified used or new gas turbines, gas engines and a future modular block against those limits.
- Review equipment in USP&E inventory and request records, inspection findings and logistics dimensions.
- Reserve civil and electrical space for future FX-45 blocks.
- Test gas-train protection, fuel-quality response, operator training and spares.
- Complete permits, funding and fuel agreements before final equipment selection.
Common questions
Why does fuel gas quality matter for mining gas turbines?
Contaminants, liquids, pressure swings and composition changes can cause derates, trips and faster wear. A written gas specification protects your station before equipment is locked.
Can a remanufactured GE Frame 6B run on mining gas?
Often, yes, when its records, fuel train, controls and intended duty match verified gas data. USP&E checks this before recommending a unit.
Do natural gas engines have a role on a mine?
Yes. Engines suit camp loads, firming and duties that differ from the main turbines.
What should mining O&M cover for gas quality?
Sampling, filter changes, protection response, operator training, spares, planned maintenance and clear escalation when gas drifts outside limits.
How do I start a review?
Call +27 10 822 2324 or contact USP&E with your location, load, gas samples, frequency and schedule.
Facing a power challenge in Africa?
Tell us your load, fuel and timeline. An engineer will come back with options, not a sales pitch.