Strategies to Reduce the Use of Fossil Fuels

Abstract

Mining industry is a substantial consumer of the energy indispensable to power mining and mineral processing equipment and processes. As more and more mine operations move to remote locations, the access to reliable, secure and environment friendly energy sources becomes a key concern. At present, a great majority of remote mines relies heavily on diesel fuel that has to be transported over long distances. In this context, some of the renewable energy sources such as for example wind power or solar energy seem to provide potentially interesting and viable alternatives. Mine operations however, have a very particular character, much different from other industries and from other potential applications of renewable power sources. This paper presents operational conditions of some mining operations, particularly those in remote regions, in the context of their energy needs. The authors analyse current and future capacities to decrease a reliance of remote mines on conventional fuels and energy. The paper analyses and discusses also the conditions to be met by alternative energy sources so that they might become a viable alternative for remote mining operations.