Australian miners moving the dial for decarbonisation MELODIE MICHEL REPORTER Energy and Mines
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ow that renewable energy is decidedly cheaper than fossil fuels for generating electricity in remote conditions, Australian miners are eyeing 100% clean base load generation and the electrification of fleets. Australia is blessed when it comes to renewables: according to Geoscience Australia, the country receives no less than 10,000 times its total energy consumption in solar radiation every year. It also enjoys strong wind resources, with current installed capacity covering about 10% of its energy needs, and many new projects in the pipeline. With this in mind, it is no wonder that renewable energy has become the cheapest form of power generation in Australia. Gold Fields, which recently had to increase power capacity at the Gruyere Mine for expansion plans, knows this first hand. “We are planning an almost 30% increase in throughput, and we need to support that with additional power. Our options were either to commit to additional gas pipeline capacity or to add solar. The solar option proved to be the lower-cost option, so what we can say is that it is cheaper on remote mine sites to invest
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