15: OZ Minerals Limited

15

OZ Minerals Limited

OZ Minerals Limited has received the EPA’s environmental approval for its giant $1.1 billion West Musgrave nickel and copper sulphide project.

The project would be crucial to balance the supply of battery metals in the fast-growing EV and batteries markets.

EPA APPROVAL

OZ Minerals has committed to achieve “net-zero” by 2040, and the West Musgrave project will use a mix of renewables to power its operations.

Around 80% of the project’s power supplies will be provided by renewables over the project’s initial 26 year life with a 70-80 MW wind farm, 40-50 MW solar PV array and 20-30 MW/25-35 MWh battery storage system to be complemented by a 45-55 MW installation of diesel gensets.

OZ has committed that West Musgrave’s Scope 1 emissions will drop from 196,500t CO2 equivalent a year from the start of

construction in 2023 to a maximum of 156,000 tpa from 2028, 75,000 tpa from 2033 and zero from 2038.

PFS 2020

A pre-feasibility study in 2020 had showed West Musgrave’s potential for renewable energy. “With a future focus on developing a roadmap to 100% renewable generation, and reducing dependency upon fossil fuels over time, West Musgrave will become one of the largest fully off-grid, renewable powered mines in the world,” said the company statement.

The solution would result in the avoidance of in excess of 220,000 tpa of carbon dioxide emission compared to a fully diesel-powered operation, the company added.

ELECTRIC HEAVY HAULAGE

Last month, OZ announced it was partnering on an ambitious world’s first trial to use battery electric trucks for heavy haulage across the long distances and harsh terrains of the Australian outback.

OZ is partnering with Janus Electric and Qube for the self-funded trial scheduled to commence in the latter part of 2022.

Janus Electric will test its revolutionary heavy vehicle exchangeable batteries in the world’s largest electric truck over the 12-month trial.