Impact of Power Quality on the Efficiency of the Mining Process

There are currently more than 30 underground mines operating in Poland. These are mines extracting hard coal, salt, and metal ores. Each of these plants has its own specifics for operation, but all operate under the same regulations. The basic principle is to ensure the safety of the crew and equipment. The progressive mechanization and automation of the mining process results in the installation of power electronic converters in the networks of mining plants, which significantly deteriorate the quality of the power in the plant supply networks. In addition, the constant reconfiguration of these networks related to the progress of the work can affect the safety conditions of the plant. This article describes problems occurring at one underground mining plant that are related to the structure of the power grid. Failures and interruptions in the production process were the result of poor power quality. They directly translated into increased production costs and significantly affected the safety level of the workforce, which could result in further consequences, not only in the financial sphere. The article also addresses the issue of existing legal regulations, the provisions of which may be insufficient in assessing the current state of power quality in mining plants.