Transforming Energy for America

Metals and Mining

Mining is a vital industry that functions on reliable power. Mining operations depend on electricity to harness natural resources such as aggregates, precious metals, iron ore, oil, gas, and coal, and to operate machinery and power ventilation and lighting systems.

Transformers play a key role in the mining industry. They convert distribution voltage into utilization voltage at the load center. Since the transformer is one of the most critical elements of every mining operation, it must meet many requirements in safety, reliability, and efficiency. The mining industry works on power, and the transformer is the source of that power.

Load losses are never good for business, and we pride ourselves in designing efficient, high-quality transformers to reduce losses and costs. In addition, this industry exists in very harsh environments surrounded by dust, dirt, chemicals, moisture, and airborne contaminants. This not only affects the performance of the transformer internally, but externally as well. We offer paint systems made to protect the outside of each unit based on the environment.

After all, Virginia Transformer got its start providing power for the underground mining industry over 50 years ago.

There are different uses for transformers in the mining industry, so both liquid-filled and dry-type transformers are used. There are some performance advantages depending on the application. Liquid-filled units have a greater overload capacity, are better at reducing hot-spot coil temperatures, and have lower losses because of their thermal dissipation.

Dry-type transformers are typically used for lower ratings, often indoors. They are generally enclosed with louvers or are sealed; they use almost no flammable materials, so they pose no fire hazard when used in coal and other mines. Virginia Transformer also offers TENV (Totally Enclosed, Non-Ventilated) transformers and supplies dry-type transformers up to 5000 kV for indoor operations.

Virginia Transformer Corporation has the engineering expertise and refined manufacturing processes to build some of the most dependable, long-lasting units available. For the mining industry, we offer transformers for drag lines, blast-hole drilling, and shovels (mil 167).

Power and electricity are also vital to the metals industry and play a critical role in the production and processing of metal products. Rolling mills, furnaces, casting, and downstream process lines all require a reliable power source to operate effectively and meet the increasing demand for metal products worldwide.

Our transformers are that reliable power source for dozens of metals operations throughout North America. Virginia Transformer emphasizes quality and builds each transformer with a 60-year lifespan in mind, which is why metal companies trust us to power their facilities. Our focus on minimizing losses ensures a consistent and dependable energy supply to meet the unique demands of the metal industry.