Tag Archives: solar power

Teck examines solar power options with acquisition of SunMine energy facility in BC

Environmental, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Teck Resources says it has purchased the SunMine solar energy facility in Kimberley, British Columbia, from the City of Kimberley.

SunMine, located on fully reclaimed land at Teck’s former Sullivan Mine site, is a 1.05 MW solar facility that has been operational since 2015. It is the first grid-connected solar facility in the province and the first built on a reclaimed mine site. It also has potential for future expansion, according to Teck.

Don Lindsay, President and CEO of Teck, said: “Our involvement with SunMine is part of our commitment to taking action on climate change, advancing renewable energy development, and supporting the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

“SunMine will help us gain first-hand experience with solar power generation as we advance the use of solar power at other operations.”

Teck has been involved with SunMine from its beginning, having provided the land and site infrastructure for development of the solar facility. Teck’s former Sullivan mine was a major producer of zinc, lead and silver, operating for nearly 100 years before closing in 2001, and close to 1,100 ha of the former mining area has since been reclaimed.

Development of SunMine aligns with Teck’s approach to working with stakeholders to develop post-mining land uses, from wildlife habitat to economic diversification, the company said.

Since 2011, Teck has implemented projects and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its operations by 289,000 t – the equivalent to taking over 88,000 combustion engine cars off the road, according to Teck – and 81% of Teck’s total electricity consumption is from renewable energy sources.

The sale amount is around C$2 million ($1.53 million), equal to the City of Kimberley’s outstanding debt obligation for SunMine, Teck said.

Nel to provide electrolyser for Anglo American hydrogen-powered haul truck

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Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser AS, a subsidiary of Nel ASA, is to deliver a 3.5 MW electrolyser to ENGIE as part of a project to deliver the world’s largest fuel cell haul truck for Anglo American.

The electrolyser, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrical energy, is scheduled to be installed during 2020, fitting in with Anglo American’s plan to complete “first motion” of the haul truck next year.

Earlier this month, Plug Power Inc confirmed it would provide a custom refuelling system for the hydrogen-powered mine haul truck, following a deal signed with ENGIE.

Henning Langås, Sales Director of Nel Hydrogen Electrolysers, said: “We are of course delighted that ENGIE has chosen our electrolyser to integrate the renewable hydrogen solution, which will fuel the truck. When scaled up, more than 100 MW of electrolyser capacity will be needed for this mine alone, representing an attractive new market opportunity.”

The ENGIE-Anglo American project involves retrofitting a mining haul truck operating at Anglo American’s Mogalakwena platinum group mine (pictured), in South Africa, to become a 100% zero-emission fuel cell electric truck, Nel said.

“Electricity for hydrogen production will partly come from local solar power and the grid, and the electrolyser capacity surpasses the daily demand of the truck, enabling storage for fuelling during night time or moments when solar radiation is poor, maximising the renewable share of the hydrogen,” it said.

“If successful, the long-term target is to convert the entire fleet of haul trucks at the mine to hydrogen, as well as at Anglo American’s other mining operations around the world.”

BHP to rollout light electric vehicle trials to iron ore, nickel in WA

Base metals, Environmental, Equipment maintenance, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , ,

Speaking at the Resources Technology Showcase, in Perth, Western Australia (WA), this week, BHP’s Chief Transformation Officer, Jonathan Price, said from the trial of light electric vehicles at its Olympic Dam mine, in South Australia, had come back with positive results and it would soon expand testing to its iron ore and nickel businesses in WA.

“The Olympic Dam trial is providing us with valuable data and information to understand how we may continue to electrify different forms of transportation, and material movement in our operations,” he told delegates.

“Early results indicate significantly reduced maintenance time, and very positive operator feedback on the vehicle – not only are they smooth to drive, they’re quiet – and with no diesel exhaust and dramatically reduced greenhouse gas emissions.”

BHP worked with Adelaide-based Voltra on the light electric vehicle trial at Olympic Dam, with the technology company developing a 100% electric drive LandCruiser 79 Series (pictured) to be put through its paces in full underground fleet operation.

Still on the theme of decarbonisation, last month, BHP announced four new renewable power agreements at its Escondida and Spence operations, in Chile. The contracts will displace 3 Mt/y of CO2 from 2022, compared with the fossil fuel based contracts they are replacing, according to Price.

He said the company was also “exploring options to do something similar” in Australia.

Price added: “BHP is currently in the market for innovative power solutions for our Eastern Australia Mineral Assets. We have received a positive response from the market, consulting over 40 different parties.”

He said the company expected to make a decision on this in the first half of 2020.

And, on the subject of Integrated Remote Operations Centres (IROC), which BHP has used to expand its use of automation and digitalisation, Price said the company is looking to expand its reach again.

“We launched our very first IROC here in Western Australia back in 2013,” he said. “Three years later we took the lessons learnt from this and built an IROC in Brisbane, overseeing our east coast coal operations.

“Now we have a centre operational in Santiago and have one planned in South Australia,” he said.

Nordgold looks to the sun for Bouly, Bissa mine power

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Nord Gold has entered into an exclusive agreement with Total Eren, an independent power producer (IPP) specialised in renewable energies, and Africa Energy Management Platform (AEMP), its strategic development partner, to construct a 13 MW solar photovoltaic power plant for its Bissa and Bouly gold mines in Burkina Faso.

Construction of the power plant will begin shortly, with completion expected in the December quarter of 2020, Nordgold said.

“The new Solar PV will provide Bissa and Bouly with power for both mines’ daily operational needs, thereby significantly reducing reliance on the existing thermal power plant,” the company said. “In addition to significantly enhancing the environmental sustainability of the mines, the solar plant will increase security of supply, and reduce costs at both mines.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Total Eren and AEMP will develop, finance, construct and operate a solar PV plant complemented by a battery energy storage system, reducing the mine’s fuel consumption by approximately 6.4 million litres and CO2 emission by approximately 18,000 t/y, the company said.

This type of project is not new to Total Eren. The company, in tandem with other partners, previously started up a 15 MWp solar power plant for IAMGOLD’s Essakane mine in Burkina Faso, in 2017 (pictured).

Nordgold’s Bissa gold mine was launched in January 2013 followed by, in September 2016, the Bouly mine.

The new solar PV plant will also create a number of full-time roles for local employees in addition to over a thousand currently employed at the mine sites, according to the company.

Nikolai Zelenski, Chief Executive Officer of Nordgold, said: “By building this new solar power plant, not only will we improve the efficiency of our mines by creating a more secure power supply at lower cost, but we are also helping to make our Burkina Faso mines far more sustainable, while minimising our carbon footprint.

“We already have in place a number of important environmental initiatives aimed at protecting biodiversity around our mines. The installation of a solar power plant at Bissa and Bouly, Nordgold’s key assets in terms of production, is in line with our strategy of implementing the best environmental standards across our operations”.

FMG to lead from the front in Pilbara renewable energy pursuit

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Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) has signed an agreement with Alinta Energy that will see up to 100% of daytime stationary energy requirements at its Chichester Hub iron ore operations, in the Pilbara of Western Australia, powered by renewable energy.

The Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid project will see the construction of a 60 MW solar photovoltaic generation facility at the Chichester Hub, comprising Fortescue’s Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak iron ore mining operations.

In addition, an approximately 60-km transmission line linking the Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mining operations with Alinta Energy’s Newman gas-fired power station and a 35 MW battery facility will be constructed, with completion due mid-2021.

FMG said: “Once completed, up to 100% of daytime stationary energy requirements at the Chichester Hub will be provided by solar generation, with the remaining power requirements to be met through the integrated battery storage and gas power station facilities.”

The project is expected to displace around 100 million litres annually of diesel used in the existing Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak power stations, according to FMG.

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines, said: “Reliable and competitive energy generation remains an important consideration for the mining sector in Western Australia and as a significant consumer of energy, we continue to identify opportunities that have the potential to lower our costs while also improving our carbon footprint.

“This landmark project is a first on this scale for the Pilbara and will reduce carbon emissions from stationary generation by around 40% at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mining operations, while driving long-term sustainable cost reductions to maintain Fortescue’s global cost leadership position.”

Gaines added that the agreement with Alinta Energy represented a further step in the creation of Fortescue’s Pilbara Energy Connect project, which builds on the company’s previous energy initiatives, including the construction of the Fortescue River Gas Pipeline, the conversion of the Solomon Power Station from diesel to gas generation, as well as a partnership agreement with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation to develop and commercialise hydrogen technologies.

As part of the agreement, FMG will invest an estimated $250 million in energy transmission infrastructure to complete the integration of Fortescue’s iron ore operations in the Pilbara into an efficient energy network.

Alinta Energy Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Dimery, said: “We’d like to thank Fortescue and our Chichester Hub project partners for helping to make the company’s long-held vision for a cleaner and more connected energy supply for the Pilbara a reality.

“There’s a lot to be proud of in this project. Working together, we are on the cusp of demonstrating that renewables can drive Australia’s economic powerhouses forward–even for remote and complex industrial applications.”

Alinta Energy will receive federal funding of A$24.2 million ($16.5 million) from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and A$90 million from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), upon satisfaction of standard conditions.

The NAIF loan remains subject to ratification from the Western Australian Government.

NAIF Chief Executive Officer, Laurie Walker said: “NAIF’s A$90 million loan for this project will help provide low emission renewable energy generation for large off-grid customers and paves the way towards the creation of a more interconnected regional energy grid in the Pilbara.

“The project innovatively combines solar and gas fired power to compensate for the variability of solar sourced energy. This investment by NAIF offers the opportunity to make a long-term difference to the Pilbara.”

ARENA Chief Executive Officer, Darren Miller, said: “The project could unlock further investment in renewable energy in the mining sector and other remote and energy intensive operations.

“Alinta’s project will demonstrate how renewable energy solutions can deliver critical energy requirements for major mining operations and help reduce emissions. This will also show how interconnection of loads and different generation and storage -including solar, gas and battery storage -can provide secure and reliable electricity.”

CEP to scale up Nomad solar tracker production with Scatec Solar deal

Environmental, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, , , , ,

Cambridge Energy Partners (CEP), the manufacturer of the Nomad redeployable solar generator, has signed a cooperation agreement with Scatec Solar, a large Norwegian independent power producer.

Under the agreement, Scatec Solar will use CEP’s movable solar tracker to offer short-term offtake agreements to commercial and industrial customers worldwide.

Tom Miller, CEP’s CEO, said: “The collaboration with Scatec Solar is an important step in CEP’s evolution, and puts us in position to become the leading manufacturer of movable solar solutions worldwide. We remain optimistic of the potential to deploy solar in remote locations, and feel our Nomad solar tracker is uniquely placed to service this market.”

Nomad is a prefabricated and movable solar generator that uses single-axis solar tracking to maximise solar yield. The prefabricated trackers can be installed in modular 15 kW units, reducing installation costs for large scale projects in challenging locations.

“With a market leading transport density of more than 150 kW per container, units can be packed-up and redeployed multiple times over their useful life,” the company said.

In mining, CEP’s Nomad solar trackers have already found its way into Newmont Goldcorp’s Akyem gold mine in Ghana, where four of them are helping power a 120 kW solar plant at the operation.

CEP said the collaboration with Scatec Solar allows it to “significantly increase” the future production volume of its Nomad solar tracker to hundreds of megawatts per year.

For Scatec Solar, the agreement will help launch a service that offers mining operations in emerging markets access to flexible, reliable and low-cost power through solar plant leasing.

The new service, called Release, offers miners flexible leasing agreements of pre-assembled solar and battery equipment, from 1 to 20 MW capacity.

Scatec said: “The solution is particularly attractive for mining companies in remote locations that rely on diesel driven power generators but would like access to cost efficient and clean energy. Today, approximately 600 GW of large-scale diesel is installed globally. This represents a significant market opportunity for small scale solar power.”

Initially, Release will target the African market with its new solar power plant solution. The company is currently also developing opportunities in Asia and Latin America.

Hans Olav Kvalvaag, responsible for Scatec Solar’s Release redeployable solar solution, said: “CEP’s modular and movable Nomad will help us rapidly deliver projects to the previously underserved commercial and industrial market.”

B2Gold to soak up solar power at Fekola gold mine

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B2Gold, in its June quarter results, has provided an update on its plans to install a solar plant at its Fekola gold mine in Mali.

The company said it completed a preliminary study to evaluate the technical and economic viability of adding a solar plant to the site, during the quarter, with the results indicating it was a very “solid project” and that a plant of around 30 MW of solar generating capacity with a significant battery storage component would provide the best economic result.

A second study has now been completed to establish the detailed capital and operating cost analysis for the project. Results indicated that a solar plant can provide significant operating cost reductions (estimated to reduce processing costs by some 7%), with the project approved by the B2Gold Board in the June quarter.

The company said: “The Fekola Solar Plant will be one of the largest off-grid hybrid solar/heavy fuel oil (HFO) plants in the world.

“It is expected that it will allow for three HFO generators to be shut down during daylight hours, which will save about 13.1 million litres of HFO per year, at a capital cost of approximately $38 million, of which $20 million is expected to be incurred in 2019, with the balance in 2020.”

The solar plant is scheduled for completion in August 2020 and has a four-year payback, B2Gold said.

At Fekola, the company is currently weighing up an expansion that could see the life of mine could extend into 2030, including significant estimated increases in average annual gold production to over 550,000 oz/y during the five-year period 2020-2024 and over 400,000 oz/y over the life of mine (2019-2030).

Back in May 2018, B2Gold celebrated the official opening of the Otjikoto gold mine solar plant, in Namibia, one of the first fully autonomous hybrid plants in the world.

At the time, B2Gold said it would allow the company to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the site’s current 24 MW HFO power plant. The shift to a HFO solar hybrid plant was, at that point, expected to reduce Otjikoto’s HFO consumption by around 2.3 million litres and reduce associated power generation fuel costs by approximately 10% in 2018.

In the company’s 2018 results, B2Gold said the plant was now providing close to 13% of the electricity consumed on site and the plant had achieved its expected HFO consumption and power generation fuel cost results.

GFG and Shanghai Electric to power up Cultana Solar Farm project

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GFG Alliance’s SIMEC Energy Australia (SEA) has signed a strategic partnership with Shanghai Electric for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for the Cultana Solar Farm project, in South Australia.

The agreement was signed by GFG Alliance Executive Chairman and CEO, Sanjeev Gupta (pictured, right), and President of Shanghai Electric, Huang Ou (pictured, left), in the presence of representatives from key supporting financial institutions.

Cultana is the first project of SIMEC Energy Australia’s $1 billion, 1 GW dispatchable renewable energy program in South Australia.

“With capacity of 280 MW, Cultana is expected to produce around 600 GWh/y of energy, powering GFG’s Whyalla Steelworks and a range of key government and commercial customers,” the company said.

“Set to be one of Australia’s largest solar farms, Cultana will deliver a range of benefits to the local community, increasing reliability and security of the state’s electricity supply and environmental benefits. The project is set to boost local employment, with circa-350 positions during construction,” GFG Alliance said.

Sanjeev Gupta, GFG Alliance Executive Chairman and CEO, said: “Cultana Solar Farm is an ambitious project that will deliver globally-competitive renewable energy on a large scale to power heavy industry. It is a great step forward in our vision to revitalise industry and we look forward to working with our partners to bring our renewables projects to life.”

GFG previously announced its ambition to invest in up to 10 GW of large-scale solar and other renewables projects across Australia.

Shanghai Electric, which has global expertise in such projects, including completion of the world’s largest concentrated solar power project in Dubai, will provide EPC for the Cultana project.

The Cultana project will play a key role in the development of the visionary 10 Mt/y Whyalla Next-Gen steel plant project and industry revitalisation strategy championed by GFG, GFG said.

Gupta said: “Our planned Next-Gen project will ignite a new industrial revolution in Australia. These projects are shining examples of GFG’s commitment to create a sustainable future for industry and build stronger local communities.”

Anglo American, Rio Tinto back World Bank’s clean technology developments

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Anglo American and Rio Tinto have committed to the World Bank’s Climate-Smart Mining initiative by becoming founding donors to the Climate-Smart Mining Facility.

The Climate-Smart Mining Facility is the first-ever fund dedicated to making mining for metals and minerals a more sustainable practice that complements the global energy transition, according to Anglo.

Building on the World Bank’s initial $2 million investment, Anglo American and Rio have joined governments (the German government being one) as a donor. Anglo said it would provide $1 million to the facility over the next five years.

“The facility’s work will support the sustainable extraction and processing of mining products used in developing clean energy technologies, such as copper used in energy storage and electric vehicles,” Anglo said. “The fund will also work with governments and operators in developing countries to establish strategies for sustainable mining operations and legal frameworks that promote smart mining.”

Anglo American said it shares the World Bank’s view that the energy transition will be mineral-intensive, creating economic opportunities for resource-rich countries and the mining sector.

Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive of Anglo American, said: “To have real impact we must work together with governments and operators to bring changes. That is why we are supporting the World Bank with this facility, to provide funds that can transform our industry for the future.

“Mining cannot continue its long path of simply scaling up to supply what the world needs. We need to do things in dramatically different ways if we are to transform our footprint and be valued by all our stakeholders. Our first responsibility is to reduce our energy and water usage, and our emissions.

“At Anglo American, we have set ourselves on a journey to carbon neutrality operationally, with our 2020 and 2030 targets as staging posts. Our FutureSmart Mining™ technologies will be a key driver of this.”

Rio Tinto CEO, J-S Jacques, said: “The transition to clean energy solutions presents both a significant opportunity and responsibility for the mining industry, as it provides the materials that make these technologies possible.

“We want to be part of the solution on climate change and the best solutions will come from innovative partnerships across competitors, governments and institutions. Our collaboration with the World Bank and many others is aimed at making a real difference by promoting sustainable practices across our industry. We look forward to supporting the Climate-Smart Mining Facility by contributing not just funding but also expertise as a leader in sustainable mining practices.”

The World Bank said the facility focuses on “helping resource-rich developing countries benefit from the increasing demand for minerals and metals, while ensuring the mining sector is managed in a way that minimises the environmental and climate footprint”.

The facility, which supports the sustainable extraction and processing of minerals and metals used in clean energy technologies, such as wind, solar power, and batteries for energy storage and electric vehicles, will also assist governments to build a robust policy, regulatory and legal framework that promotes climate-smart mining and creates an enabling environment for private capital, the World Bank said.

Projects may include:

  • Supporting the integration of renewable energy into mining operations, given that the mining sector accounts for up to 11% of global energy use and that mining operations in remote areas often rely on diesel or coal;
  • Supporting the strategic use of geological data for a better understanding of “strategic mineral” endowments;
  • Forest-smart mining: preventing deforestation and supporting sustainable land-use practices; repurposing mine sites, and;
  • Recycling of minerals: supporting developing countries to take a circular economy approach and reuse minerals in a way that respects the environment.

Riccardo Puliti, Senior Director and Head of the Energy and Extractives Global Practice at the World Bank, said: “The World Bank supports a low-carbon transition where mining is climate-smart and value chains are sustainable and green. Developing countries can play a leading role in this transition: developing strategic minerals in a way that respects communities, ecosystems and the environment. Countries with strategic minerals have a real opportunity to benefit from the global shift to clean energy.”

The World Bank is targeting a total investment of $50 million, to be deployed over a five-year timeframe.

Holman Wilfley shakes up manufacturing base with solar installation

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Holman Wilfley, as part of its continuing environmental policy development, has completed the installation of the first 20 kW array of solar photovoltaic panels to power its main assembly factory in Pool, England.

In addition to supplying its factory, the installation will also allow surplus natural energy to feed back to the grid, contributing to government targets for clean energy generation, Holman Wilfley said.

“Our gravity machine assembly processes will make use of this clean element of energy for general operations, and testing,” the company said. “This will help Holman Wilfley reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact.”

With this installation, the company says it can assist the mining sector’s drive for sustainability, joining a community of 140,000 independent green energy generators.

Holman Wilfley supplies gravity separation technology to the minerals, metals and recycling industries.

Its shaking tables provide efficient gravity separation of fine minerals in the mining space, with its customers currently using this equipment to produce concentrates of gold (alluvial and milled ore), tin, tungsten, tantalum and chromite. In these operations, the tables are usually used as the final stage in gravity circuits.

The company’s gravity separation equipment is also found throughout the mineral sands space, where the tables are often the primary concentrating technology.