Modern Mining June 2022

POWER SUPPLY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Alternative energy solutions crucial for future of mining Mining is a power-intense industry. And because sites are often in remote areas, the potential shortfall of available grid power introduces further complexity into operations. This has resulted in mines relying on fossil-based fuel sources such as diesel or coal, while supplementing these with massive on-site diesel generators. By Peter Middleton .

“ T o counteract the high cost and environmen tal impact of these traditional approaches, there is a rising interest in adopting hybrid energy solutions, “says Dinesh Buldoo, director of Power at WSP in Africa. He says that mining companies across Africa are looking to invest in standalone or micro-grid hybrid power solutions that incorporate some form of alternative energy resource, such as gas or renew able energy options, like solar or wind, to address off-peak demand. “These enable mines to address the risk associated with grid power interruptions or find a workable solution where grid power access is not available. They can also offset the unstable costs and risks associated with their reliance on and access to diesel,” says Buldoo. “At a time when the focus is on ESG (environ ment, social and governance), using hybrid power solutions can also see mines positively contribute to the carbon reduction of their operations,” he adds. The benefits of adopting renewable energy resources in hybrid power generation solutions

Dinesh Buldoo, director for Power at WSP in Africa. are clear. For one, it is a cleaner fuel source. Environmental pollution from solar or wind energy is far lower than technologies that rely on combustion of fossil fuels. It is also more sustainable. As long as the sun shines and the wind blows, the energy produced can be harnessed to send power across the grid. “Simply put, renewable energy resources are cost effective. With constant developments and advances in the technology, the upfront capital investment to

One of the biggest business opportunities for renewable energy is certainly off-grid mines.

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30  MODERN MINING  June 2022