We buy new, leftover and used mining cable
Mining cable supplies mobile equipment or a mine's distribution system. A heavy jacket alone does not identify it. Type, voltage, shields and ground-check construction determine its application.
We buy all types of electrical wire and cable, new, unused, leftover or used. Send photos of full reels, partial reels, boxed coils, cut lengths and mixed lots. Include the remaining footage and cable markings so we can make an offer.
For mixed plant lots, our wire and cable categories help you separate mining products from ordinary feeders and control cable.
Common mining cable constructions
These are manufacturer examples. Match your reel to its own data sheet because product lines differ.
| Type or construction | Typical internal arrangement | Ratings and markings to check |
|---|---|---|
| G-GC portable power cable | Three stranded copper power conductors, two grounding conductors and a separate insulated ground-check conductor; flexible insulation and jacket | Commonly 2,000 V. Some products carry UL Type G-GC, CSA and MSHA markings. Dry and wet temperature ratings can differ. |
| SHD-GC shielded trailing cable | Three flexible copper power conductors with individual shields, two grounding conductors and an insulated ground-check conductor; EPR insulation and a heavy-duty jacket | Manufacturer examples include 2, 5, 8 and 15 kV, with 90°C conductor ratings. Check the actual voltage, MSHA marking and any CSA designation. |
| MP-GC mine power feeder | Three copper power conductors, semiconductive shield layers and copper tape shields, two grounds and an insulated ground-check conductor | Manufacturer examples include 5, 8 and 15 kV, with 90°C EPR constructions. Check the specification and applicable mine feeder approvals. |
GC means ground check, a separate conductor used with a monitoring system, not another power conductor. In these constructions, its insulation is yellow.
SHD-GC uses flexible stranding for trailing service. These MP-GC feeders use compact Class B stranding for permanent distribution. Matching voltage does not make a fixed feeder interchangeable with reeling cable. Do not label SOOW or other portable cord as G-GC based on appearance.
ICEA S-75-381 covers portable and power feeder cables for mines and similar applications. MSHA approval includes flame-test requirements; it does not prove a UL listing or an individual reel's condition.
Sizes, conductor metals and voltage ratings
We review these copper constructions, including bare or tin-coated conductors. A silver-colored strand may be coated copper, not aluminum. Identify the metal from the tag or specification without cutting good cable.
The cited G-GC range runs from 8 AWG through 500 kcmil. SHD-GC and MP-GC ranges depend on voltage: these 15 kV versions start at 2 AWG, while some lower-voltage versions start at 6 AWG. Not every size exists at every voltage.
Report the power conductor size separately from the ground and ground-check sizes. Our size pages cover 8 AWG through 1 AWG, 1/0 through 4/0 and 250 through 500 kcmil.
We also buy aluminum mine feeders. Identify their actual type rather than calling them aluminum SHD-GC. For fixed shielded feeders, see medium voltage cable from 5 kV to 35 kV. Report the cable's marked voltage, not just the equipment's operating voltage.
Read the jacket legend and reel tag together
Photograph a complete repeat of the jacket legend. Embossed lettering may need light from the side to become readable. Do not assume a reflective stripe or jacket color proves the cable type.
Look for these fields, which may be split between the cable and tag:
- Manufacturer, product family, catalog number and reel or lot identifier.
- Type letters such as G-GC, SHD-GC or MP-GC.
- Power conductor size and count, plus separate ground and ground-check details.
- Conductor metal, stranding and insulation or jacket material, if shown.
- Voltage and temperature ratings, including different wet and dry ratings.
- UL listing, MSHA approval identifier, CSA marking or standards references actually present.
- Sequential footage marks, original shipped length and manufacture date or production code.
A marking of 3/C identifies three power conductors in these constructions; it does not mean the cable has only three internal wires. Copy production codes as printed rather than guessing their dates. The reel tag and jacket print guide explains how to organize readable identification photos.
Photos and records that make the lot reviewable
Send an overall photo of every reel, close-ups of each tag and jacket legend, both reel flanges, outer wraps and cable ends. Keep end caps or seals intact, especially on medium voltage cable.
Show any joint, bulge, crushed area or jacket cut. Photograph terminations on unused spares and explain their history. Do not remove seals or peel back insulation to expose shields. Supply shield details from the specification instead.
Report remaining footage per reel and identify estimates. Send existing factory or other test records showing the reel identifier, test date and test description. You do not need a new test for an initial request.
Attach the inventory and photos to your mining cable offer request. Note the Arizona location. We confirm who is selling and keep simple paperwork with each purchase.
What helps or hurts a mining cable offer
Long, continuous lengths with readable tags and matching specifications are easier to review than unidentified cuts. Matching reels help, but list 5 kV and 15 kV reels separately.
Manufacture date, remaining footage, shield construction and current demand affect the offer. Missing tags, uncertain quantities and unclear storage history make identification harder. Photograph sun-exposed wraps and signs of water entry rather than describing everything as good condition.
Disclose splices because joints interrupt the original construction, including shields and the ground-check path. State whether each was made before installation or during service. Do not hide joints with tape. Splices, jacket repairs, test results and sealed-end condition affect the offer.
Arizona copper-mine sources of leftover cable
Freeport lists Arizona copper operations at Morenci, Bagdad, Safford including Lone Star, Sierrita and Miami. ASARCO's Ray operation in Pinal County includes a concentrator and solvent extraction-electrowinning facilities. Its Mission Complex is also an open-pit mining operation. These are relevant settings for equipment power, mine distribution and electrical maintenance inventory.
Unused reels can remain after equipment specifications change, a planned cable run becomes shorter or a spare allocation is released. For company-owned inventory, our mining operation surplus cable page covers the seller side. Contractors closing out mine electrical work can also use the electrical contractor surplus wire page.
Freeport's November 4, 2026 Bagdad announcement describes planned concentrator facilities, a primary crusher, an overland conveyor and a power line. It is an approved future expansion, not a completed job closeout. These operations and plans provide local context; they do not establish available surplus or customer relationships with us.
Mistakes to avoid before releasing a reel
Do not shorten continuous cable for easier handling. Keep its tag attached and distinguish original footage from remaining footage.
We confirm who is selling each reel and keep simple paperwork, such as a purchase order, invoice, job closeout record or company letter. Include the name of the person releasing the material. For company-owned cable, that person has authority to sell it.
Keep splice and test records with the correct reel so the written offer describes the actual material. A clean-looking jacket alone does not show whether trailing cable has been used.