Renewable Energy for Mines

Renewable Energy for Mines

Author: Veronique Daigle, P. Eng., Samuel Mottram, P. Eng.
Conference: International Renewable Energy Symposium
Date: October 29-30, 2015

ABSTRACT
Mining operations require a secure energy sources(s) to maintain their operation and many around the world typically resort to expensive diesel generated power, with fuel operating costs alone varying from $300/MWh in West Africa to over $800/MWh in the Canadian Arctic. Renewable energy solutions such as small hydro, wind and solar offer significant cost saving opportunities for these mines, and in addition help the miners attain their “Social License” to operate. If these mines have a shorter operating life (i.e. 10-15 years), the renewable energy infrastructure can provide a “Legacy Asset” for the local community and/or a longer-term revenue stream for the mine that typically needs to monitor the decommissioned mine and waste management facilities for decades after production has  eased. With a short pay-back term, renewables also offer opportunities to lower operating costs, mine lower grade material and extend the life of mine. This presentation is a practical view on renewables for two mine case histories located in Africa and in the South of the United States of America.

 

Download the full technical paper.

Download PDF

Perspectivas recientes

Febrero 2024
Empoderamiento y Resiliencia
Enero 2024
Balancing Act: Water Usage Management Vital for a Sustainable Future
Enero 2024
A Difficult Balance Between Engineering, Environmental, Social and Economic Aspects
Noviembre 2023
Knight Piésold Commences with the ESIA for Haib Copper
Noviembre 2023
Insights from the Compilation and Critical Assessment of Breach and Runout Characteristics from Historical Tailings Dam Failures: Implications for Numerical Modelling
Noviembre 2023
Earthquake-induced Deformation Analysis of a TSF Undergoing Tailings Reprocessing
Noviembre 2023
Case Study: Approach to Determining the Risk Mitigation Priority of a Historic TSF in North America
Octubre 2023
Data Management and Insights for Effective Tailings Storage Facility Management
Octubre 2023
The Role of Sensitivity Analysis in Selecting Dam Breach Parameters
Octubre 2023
Influence of Increased Confining Stress on Undrained Behavior of Tailings: A Case History at the Candelaria Mine
Octubre 2023
The Re-use of Existing Bituminous Stabilised Materials for the Rehabilitation of National Route 7 - Case Study
Septiembre 2023
Transición energética para gerentes de mina
Agosto 2023
Interview: Guillermo Barreda, Gerente General, Knight Piésold Perú
Julio 2023
Selection of Soil Shear Strength Parameters Based on Integrated In Situ Tests, Lab Tests and Numerical Calibration Approach
Junio 2023
Leveraging Knowledge and Experience of a Well-Formed Independent Tailings Review Board to Enhance Tailings Facility Safety
Mayo 2023
Is the Implementation of Dry Stacking for Tailings Storage Increasing? A Southern African Perspective
Febrero 2023
Canadian Consulting Engineer's Lifetime Achievement Awards: Jeremy Haile
Febrero 2023
Geotechnical Characterization of Collapsible Salty Sands Subjected to Monotonic and Cyclic Loadings – A Case Study for Areas with High Seismicity
Noviembre 2022
Application of the 3D Limit Equilibrium Method in Tailings Dam Breach Analysis
Noviembre 2022
Evaluation of Tailings Behaviour for Dam Breach Assessment