BHP, the Australian mining giant announced a PPA with clean energy generator CleanCo for the supply of energy from low-emission sources and renewables such as solar and wind to its Queensland coal mines. (BHP) The five-year agreement, effective January 1, 2021, will cut emissions at the mines by 50% by 2025. Between 2021 and 2025, it Read More
Gold mining companies run power-hungry operations, with a substantial carbon footprint. Last year, for every tonne of gold produced, greenhouse gas emissions released were 32,689 tonnes, according to a report from the World Gold Council. However, gold miners are resorting to new and innovative means to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and abate carbon footprints, according Read More
Credit: Antofagasta Chilean copper mining group Antofagasta has signed a power supply agreement with utilities company Colbún to provide 100% renewable power to its Zaldivar mine. The open-pit, heap-leach copper oxide mine, located in Northern Chile, is a 50% joint venture between Antofagasta and Barrick Gold. The 10-year agreement between Antofagasta and Colbún will power the mine through a mixture of hydro, Read More
A $6 billion modernization of Rio Tinto’s Kitimat aluminum smelter is paying off big. The 2014-2015 renovation project increased the smelter’s production capacity by 50% while slashing its emissions by half. Aluminum smelting uses electrolysis, which requires massive amounts of electricity. Thanks to new technologies and B.C.’s hydropower resources, Rio Tinto’s process “create[s] less than one-third Read More
Renewable energy is undoubtedly picking up steam—even among fossil fuel extraction companies themselves. The world's biggest shipper of seaborne coal, Glencore, boosted its share of renewables one point to 19 percent, according to its 2017 sustainability report. The company is deploying renewable energy in the remote areas in which it mines, and supports policies that reduce Read More
Photo: Marc McCormack, via Genex Power Sydney-based Genex Power will transform the abandoned Kidston Gold Mine in Northern Queensland into a clean energy powerhouse combining solar and storage. The site will host a 50 MW solar project (KSP1), a 250 MW pumped-storage hydro project (KPSHP), and another 270 MW solar project (KSP2). Kidston’s former status as Read More
With investments in wind and hydro (plus diesel) Minera el Toqui, a southern Chilean zinc and lead mine operated by Nyrstar, is aiming to self generate 45% of its energy from renewables. The presentation (from the Energy and Mines Chile Summit, May 2015) details the mine's key considerations and challenges of integrating wind and hydro for Read More
Dominic Duffy The Cerro Bayo gold and silver mine in Southern Chile is operated by Mandalay Resources. The mine is remote from the grid and has traditionally powered its operations with diesel gensets. In this 60-second interview with Mandalay COO, Dominic Duffy, we gain some insight on the challenges of powering this remote mine site and Read More
Are you still under the misapprehension that solar power is more expensive than traditional sources of energy? Think again. Two really interesting articles this week underlines the reality. Global solar dominance in sight as science trumps fossil fuels outlines the shift to solar around the world and the threat to traditional sources. Some great quotes from this Read More
