No single SWT generator set fits every mine. The right model depends on four things: the size of the site load, whether the generators run as the main supply or as backup, what fuel is available at the site, and the conditions the set has to work in. In practice, exploration camps and small sites are served by compact Kubota and Perkins diesel sets. Crushing plants and mid-size mines are served by Cummins, Perkins, Weichai and Yuchai sets in the 200–600 kW range. Large mines use 1000 kW-class diesel sets such as the SWT Cummins SC1250, or multi-unit plants built from several sets. Where gas is available, the SWT Cummins K50N gas generator set delivers 900–1200 kWe per unit. Hybrid micro power stations and mining light towers complete the picture.
This guide explains how to choose a generator set for a mining site, then maps each type of mine to the part of the SWT range that suits it. It draws on SWT’s current product catalogue and on the project experience the company has built since 1993.
How to Choose a Generator Set for a Mining Site: Four Questions
Before you look at any model number, answer these four questions. They narrow the choice faster than any catalogue.
1. How big is the load? List every consumer the generator set must supply: crushers, screens, conveyors, slurry and dewatering pumps, ventilation fans, workshops, camp buildings and lighting. Add up the running kW, then allow for the starting current of the largest motors. Generator sets are rated in kVA as well as kW, and a power factor of 0.8 links the two, so a 1000 kW load needs roughly 1250 kVA of capacity. Always leave headroom for expansion.
2. Will the set run as prime or standby power? A generator set that runs every day as the mine’s main source of electricity needs a prime rating. One that only protects ventilation, dewatering and safety systems during a grid outage can use a standby rating, which gives more kW from the same machine. We explain the difference in our guide, What Is the Difference Between Prime and Standby Power for Mines? Always check which rating a quoted kW figure refers to.
3. What fuel is available? Diesel can be trucked to almost any site, but at a remote mine fuel logistics are a major cost. If the mine has access to natural gas, associated gas, biogas or LPG, a gas generator set can be the lower-cost route to continuous power.
4. What are the site conditions? The reference conditions in SWT’s data for its 1000 kW class are an ambient temperature up to 40°C, an altitude up to 1,000 metres and relative humidity up to 60%. Many mines operate outside those limits. Hot, high or dusty sites need derated output and a suitable enclosure, so give SWT your actual conditions when you ask for a recommendation.
Quick Selection Guide: Which SWT Generator Set Fits Which Mining Site?
| Mining scenario | Typical load | SWT range to look at | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exploration camp, drilling site, small workshop | Up to about 200 kW | SWT Mining Series powered by Kubota or Perkins engines; SWT Kubota and Perkins diesel sets | Compact, easy to move, suited to camps and small loads |
| Crushing and screening plant, processing plant, mid-size mine | About 200–600 kW | SWT Cummins, Perkins, Weichai and Yuchai diesel sets | A wide choice of ratings between 200 and 600 kW |
| Large open-pit or underground mine | 1000 kW and above | SWT Cummins SC1250 / SC1250X; Cummins, Yuchai, Perkins, MTU and Baudouin sets from 1000 to 2000 kW and above | Large capacity, open type or containerized |
| Mine power plant | Multi-MW | Several identical sets with a synchronizing system | Up to 32 sets in parallel, N+1 redundancy, room to expand |
| Mine with a gas supply | 900–1200 kWe per unit | SWT Cummins K50N gas generator set | Runs on natural gas, associated gas, biogas or LPG |
| Remote camp or pumping site | Small to medium | SWT hybrid micro power stations | Solar, storage and diesel in one containerized system |
| Pits, haul roads and crusher areas at night | Site lighting | SWT mining series light towers | Mobile lighting for night-shift work |
Generators for Exploration Camps and Small Mining Sites: Up to About 200 kW
Exploration crews, drilling contractors and small quarries need compact generator sets that are easy to move and simple to run. SWT’s range for this class includes:
- The SWT Mining Series, powered by Kubota or Perkins engines
- SWT Kubota series sets from 24 kW / 30 kVA upward, including the Kubota V3300 series
- SWT Perkins series sets from 8 kW up to about 203 kW, including 160 kW / 200 kVA and 200 kW / 250 kVA models
Typical loads here are camp accommodation, kitchens and offices, small workshops, water pumps, a compressor or a small crusher. For these jobs, think first about transportability and fuel economy. Trailers, larger fuel tanks and soundproof enclosures for the camp area are typical options to ask about. If the set will run every day as the camp’s only supply, specify a prime rating. If it backs up a grid or solar system, standby may be enough.
Generators for Crushing Plants and Mid-Size Mines: About 200–600 kW
Crushing and screening plants, small processing plants, quarries and workshops typically fall in the 200–600 kW range. This is the widest part of the SWT diesel catalogue, with several engine platforms to choose from:
| Platform | Examples in the SWT range |
|---|---|
| Cummins | 24–440 kW series, 24–506 kW series, 500–572 kW series, 300 kW / 375 kVA, 360 kW / 450 kVA, 400 kW / 550 kVA, SC250 / SC250X |
| Perkins | 8–203 kW series, 160 kW / 200 kVA, 200 kW / 250 kVA |
| Weichai | 100 kW / 125 kVA, 200 kW / 250 kVA, 300 kW / 375 kVA, 400 kW / 500 kVA |
| Yuchai | 440 kW to 2200 kW series, 500 kW / 625 kVA |
| Volvo | 520 kW / 650 kVA |
| Hanma | 250 kW / 313 kVA |
| SDEC | 300 kW / 375 kVA |
The main selection issue at this size is motor starting. A crusher or a large slurry pump can draw several times its running current for a moment, and the generator set must hold voltage through that event. Tell SWT the largest motor in the plant and how it is started (direct on line, star-delta, soft starter or variable-frequency drive) so the engine and alternator can be matched properly. SWT’s project list includes a crusher working site, a typical example of this kind of duty.
Large Mining Loads: 1000 kW-Class Diesel Generators and Above
Large open-pit mines, underground mines with heavy ventilation and hoisting loads, and large processing plants need generator sets in the megawatt class. SWT’s reference model for the 1000 kW class is the SWT Cummins SC1250 / SC1250X diesel generator set, a 1000 kW / 1250 kVA class unit for large industrial, commercial and critical power applications.
Key points for mining buyers:
- Versions for both grids. The SC1250 is the 50 Hz version (380 / 400 / 415 V, 1500 r/min). The SC1250X is the 60 Hz version (440 V / 254 V, 1800 r/min).
- Rating. For the 50 Hz version matched to the Cummins QSK38-G2 engine, the standby rating is 1000 kW / 1250 kVA and the prime rating is 908 kW / 1135 kVA. Choose by how the set will run, not by the headline number.
- Enclosure. Open type or 20-foot container. Open-type weight ranges from about 7,000 to 8,255 kg and the 20-foot container version from about 11,000 to 12,650 kg, depending on the configuration. That matters when you plan transport to a remote site.
- System features. Optional ATS, synchronizing system, RS485 / Ethernet communication and cloud monitoring.
- Factory testing. Load tests at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% and 110% before delivery, with a test report, quality certificate, schematic diagram, installation manual and operation manual supplied.
Above 1000 kW, SWT’s catalogue includes the SWT Cummins series at 2000 kW / 2500 kVA, the Yuchai series from 440 kW up to 2200 kW (including 2000 kW / 2500 kVA), the Perkins series at 1600 kW / 2000 kVA, the SWT MTU series at 1800 kW / 2250 kVA, the Baudouin series at 2000 kW / 2500 kVA and the SME series at 1800 kW / 2250 kVA. For a mine that needs several megawatts, it is usually better to combine several sets in parallel than to rely on one unit, as the next section explains.
Multi-Unit Mine Power Plants: Paralleling and N+1 Redundancy
A mine that needs several megawatts, or that cannot afford to lose power, is usually built as a multi-unit plant. Several identical generator sets share the load through a synchronizing system. SWT can supply a synchronizing system for genset-to-genset or genset-to-grid operation, supporting up to 32 generator sets, with automatic start, synchronization and adjustment of the number of running units according to load.
This design has three advantages at a mine. Only the sets that are needed run at any moment, each at a healthy load, which saves fuel and avoids wet stacking. If one set trips or is taken out for service, the others carry the load, which is the idea behind N+1 redundancy. And when the mine expands, you add another set instead of replacing the plant.
Large scale is within SWT’s experience. The company’s project list includes the Simandou Mine 24 MW power plant in Guinea, which achieved a successful first ignition. Whether a plant runs as the main supply or as backup, the choice between prime and standby ratings still applies to each set, and our companion article on prime and standby power for mines explains how to decide.
Gas Generator Sets for Mining: The SWT Cummins K50N
Where a mine has access to gas, a gas generator set can supply continuous power without trucking diesel to the site. The flagship for large gas projects in SWT’s range is the SWT Cummins K50N Gas Generator Set, which covers 900–1200 kWe per unit.
What the K50N offers:
- Engine: Cummins K50N, a 50.3-litre V-type gas engine with 16 cylinders
- Power range: 900–1200 kWe
- Fuels: natural gas, associated gas, biogas and LPG
- Frequency: 50 Hz or 60 Hz
- Emissions: NOx below 500 mg/Nm³
- Applications: CHP plants, distributed energy, industrial power stations, oil and gas facilities and remote power supply
- Integration: SWT supplies the complete package, including alternator matching, intelligent control systems, gas treatment, commissioning and EPC services
For a mine, the K50N makes sense when there is a reliable gas supply: a mine near a gas field or pipeline, a site that produces associated gas, a biogas source, or a project that can be supplied with LPG. The set is designed for continuous industrial operation, so it suits mines that need a dependable main power source rather than short-duration backup. Where there is a use for heat, such as process heating or camp facilities, the combined heat and power (CHP) applications of this class of gas set can improve overall energy use. Several units can also be combined to build a multi-megawatt plant.
Gas quality is the critical variable. The K50N page lists natural gas, associated gas, biogas and LPG as fuels. If your mine would use a different gas, such as coal mine gas, which varies in methane concentration, send SWT a gas analysis so the engine configuration and gas treatment can be confirmed before you commit. SWT’s project list includes an 8 MW coal mine gas power generation project in Shanxi, China.
The K50N is one of several gas options. SWT’s gas range also includes Cummins K19N and K38N sets, Jenbacher Type 2 (250–330 kWe) and Type 3 (500–1000 kWe) sets, MWM and Hanma sets, the Perkins-powered SPN series (300–1000 kW) and the Shenny-powered SSN series (20–500 kW). Together they cover gas projects from small to multi-megawatt.
Hybrid Solar Diesel Micro Power Stations for Remote Mines
At a remote mine, diesel delivery is often the largest single operating cost. A hybrid micro power station combines solar generation, battery storage and a diesel generator set, so the generator runs less often and at a better load. SWT offers a 30 kW containerized hybrid micro power station (a solar, storage and diesel microgrid) and a wider container-style hybrid micro power station range.
These systems suit loads that are modest and fairly steady, such as exploration camps, pumping stations, monitoring equipment and communication sites. SWT’s project list also includes an off-grid micro power station for an oilfield in Xinjiang, which shows the same concept applied in a remote, off-grid setting. Larger mine loads still need generator capacity at the core, but a hybrid design can be added to reduce fuel consumption on part of the site.
Mining Light Towers and Site Lighting
Mining does not stop at night, and lighting is part of site power. SWT also designs and manufactures mobile lighting towers, including mining-focused series: the 75M/H mining series, the HVP/HVL mining series and the HTM mining series. The range also includes a 75M series oilfield LED light tower, an SV9 solar LED light tower and the HVS hybrid series.
Light towers are used for open pits, haul roads, crusher and stockpile areas and night maintenance work. When you choose a tower, consider mast height, lamp type (metal halide or LED), run time per fuel fill and whether the tower must be towed from place to place.
Configuration Options That Matter at Mining Sites
The model is only half of the decision. Based on SWT’s 1000 kW-class product data, these are the configuration choices that matter most at mining sites:
- Enclosure: open type, 20-foot container or soundproof enclosure, with a trailer where mobility is needed
- Fuel system: daily tank, bulk tank, fuel level sensor and automatic fuel filling
- Starting aids: water jacket heater, oil heater, alternator anti-condensation heater and battery charger, for reliable starting in cold or humid conditions
- Power transfer and protection: ATS panel and motorized circuit breaker
- Controls and monitoring: single-unit controller with LCD screen and multilingual interface, local and remote start, event logs, RS485 extension module, Ethernet communication and cloud monitoring
- Paralleling: synchronizing system for multi-unit plants
- Exhaust and noise: industrial muffler, muffler flange, bellow joint, shock absorber and residential silencer
- Spare parts: supplied on request with the equipment
Every unit is tested at the factory before shipment, and SWT supports international delivery for export projects.
Why Mining Customers Choose SWT
Shandong Superwatt Power Tech Co., Ltd. has been in the generator set business since 1993. The company reports more than 2,886 delivered projects, an annual production capacity of more than 10,000 units, a 70,908 m² manufacturing base and customers in more than 100 countries. SWT lists proven experience in data centers, oil and gas, telecom and mining.
For a mine, three points matter most. The first is system integration: SWT matches the engine, alternator, control system, chassis, enclosure and accessories as one package, and for gas projects it adds gas treatment, commissioning and EPC services. The second is customization: voltage, frequency, enclosure, fuel system and monitoring are configured to site requirements, and OEM, containerized and silent versions are available. The third is project experience, from the Simandou 24 MW power plant in Guinea to a mine leasing project in Chile.
How to Get a Recommendation for Your Mine
The more precise your brief, the better the recommendation. When you contact SWT, send the following:
- The type of mine and the application: open pit, underground, quarry, processing plant or camp
- The load list, including the largest motor and how it is started
- The role of the generator set (main supply, backup or peak shaving) and the expected running hours per year
- Site conditions: maximum ambient temperature, altitude, humidity and dust level
- Voltage and frequency, 50 Hz or 60 Hz
- The available fuel: diesel, natural gas, associated gas, biogas or LPG, with a gas analysis for gas projects
- Enclosure and mobility needs
- Delivery location and project schedule
SWT’s engineers can then select the model, confirm the rating and propose paralleling, ATS or monitoring options.
FAQ: SWT Generator Sets for Mining Sites
Which generator set is best for a mining site?
There is no single best model. Small exploration sites suit compact Kubota or Perkins sets. Mid-size operations suit Cummins, Perkins, Weichai or Yuchai sets from about 200 to 600 kW. Large mines suit 1000 kW-class sets such as the SWT Cummins SC1250, or several sets in parallel, and mines with a gas supply can use the SWT Cummins K50N.
What size generator do I need for a mining site?
Add up the running kW of all loads, allow for the starting current of the largest motors, divide by the power factor (typically 0.8) to get kVA, and add headroom for expansion. If the generator will be the main supply, size it against the prime rating rather than the standby rating.
Should a mine use a diesel or a gas generator set?
Diesel generator sets can be used almost anywhere and are available from a few kW to several MW. Gas generator sets such as the K50N make sense when a reliable gas supply exists, because they avoid diesel logistics. Fuel availability and cost over the life of the project should decide.
Can SWT supply a containerized generator set for a mining site?
Yes. The 1000 kW-class SC1250 series is available in open type and 20-foot containerized versions, and SWT also offers container-style hybrid micro power stations.
Can several SWT generator sets run in parallel at a mine?
Yes. SWT can supply a synchronizing system for up to 32 generator sets, for genset-to-genset or genset-to-grid operation.
Does SWT provide EPC services for mining power plants?
For gas power systems, SWT provides complete system integration, including alternator matching, gas treatment, commissioning and EPC services, as described on the K50N product page. Ask SWT about the scope available for your project.
Can SWT generator sets work at high altitude?
The reference conditions in SWT’s 1000 kW-class data are up to 1,000 m and 40°C. At higher altitude or temperature, output must be derated. Give SWT your site conditions so the output can be confirmed for your engine and rating.
Does SWT supply light towers for mining sites?
Yes. SWT designs and manufactures mobile lighting towers, including the 75M/H, HVP/HVL and HTM mining series.
Choosing SWT Generator Sets for Mining Site Power: The Short Version
Choosing an SWT generator set for mining site power comes down to matching four things to the product range: the load, the rating, the fuel and the site. Compact Kubota and Perkins sets serve camps and small sites. Cummins, Perkins, Weichai and Yuchai sets cover the middle of the market. The SC1250 and other megawatt-class diesel sets, combined through a synchronizing system, power large mines. The SWT Cummins K50N brings 900–1200 kWe of gas power to mines with a gas supply. Hybrid stations and light towers complete the site.
To avoid mismatched ratings, read our guide What Is the Difference Between Prime and Standby Power for Mines? before you finalize your specification. Then send SWT your load list and site conditions to receive a recommendation and a quotation.