By Dori (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0 us], via Wikimedia Commons With 40 carbon markets around the globe and China’s coming later this year, mining companies must address carbon and climate risks immediately, a report from CDP warns. The report, which analyzed twelve of the world’s largest mining companies, found that the introduction of Read More
While hybrid energy systems having been gaining ground in the mining industry, last year’s blackouts in South Australia may lead some firms to abandon fossil fuels entirely. Copper company Oz Minerals is one of them. The firm is considering developing independent sources of energy such as solar, wind, and thermal and bypassing the grid to ensure Read More
Chilean copper miner Antofagasta is renegotiating its long-term energy contracts to increase renewables as the cost of solar and wind continues to fall, CEO Ivan Arriagada told Reuters. While some of the firm’s energy contracts won’t expire for another three to five years, they allow for renegotiation if market conditions change. Conditions have certainly been changing. Read More
Leading copper producer Grupo Mexico has invested in large-scale wind and solar to power its operations. As Vice President of Business Development with responsibility for the company’s energy strategy, Ignacio Castro Foulkes says that energy cost uncertainty is one of the biggest energy challenges facing the company’s mining operations. Last year, he accepted the award for Read More
As concerns over energy security and costs grow, the mining industry is increasingly prioritising the hybridisation of renewable energy sources with its traditional means of power generation. Recent projects have demonstrated that renewable energy allows miners to address key concerns over fuel transportation costs, grid instability and power reliability for off-grid sites. It also assists in 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
To position Canada as a leader in the emerging low-carbon economy, the Canadian Government recognizes the need to support the decarbonization of mining and has earmarked $2.3 billion to support the development, commercialization and use of clean technologies. This funding will provide options to mining companies, renewables and low-carbon technology providers, as well as remote communities Read More
Vancouver-based B2Gold is moving forward with a 7 MW solar project in Namibia which has significant bottom line and social license benefits for this leading gold producer. “We carried out a lot of financial modelling and have a quick [project] payback,” reports Mark Dawe, Managing Director and Country Manager for B2Gold Namibia. With the second best Read More
Off-grid mines can slash fuel requirements and CO2 emissions by up to 28% by using microgrids that combine solar power, battery storage, and diesel generators, according to a new study. The ABB report, Reducing Energy Costs and Environmental Impacts of Off-Grid Mines, outlines how microgrids can help miners generate a reliable power supply and trim emissions Read More
Photo by Curragh Queensland Mining Limited, CC BY-SA 3.0. The discord that led to the departure of Minerals Council of Australia CEO Brendan Pearson has been simmering for some time, and may have additional ramifications. “BHP has got their man…BHP and Rio Tinto were not always comfortable with his coal advocacy,” an anonymous industry insider told Read More
