Renewable energy continues to creep into the mining industry, and many professionals are heading to Johannesburg to discuss hybrid solutions for powering their African operations.
Faced with spiraling energy costs and increasing supply challenges, African mines are looking to diversify their energy mix to secure power and stabilize pricing. Many mining companies in Africa are already assessing or deploying renewables to address the real and growing energy stress in this market. Australian mining firm, Rio Tinto, powered its $5.2 billion Diavik diamond mine via wind energy. India’s Tata Power Co. Ltd. continue to venture into African nations that, coincidentally, are rich with mining capabilities. The Indian firm is also investing in renewable energy, which could indicate a method of power generation for mining activities.
South Africa in particular faces looming energy problems. Dr. Michael Seeger, a director at GX Energy, said that renewable energy would reducing mining demand for electricity and also help off-grid operations. He said, "Renewable energy allows plants to be erected where they are required, hugely reducing these logistics and long-term costs."
Ernst & Young compiled data alongside Bloomberg that said mining companies were investing in renewable energy faster than many other industries, accounting for 1.8% of global clean-power spending in 2012. The Renewables and Mining Summit [LG1] will be held at the Hilton Sandton from June 23-24 including companies like AngloGold Ashanti, African Rainbow Minerals, Gold Fields, Anglo Platinum, ArcelorMittal South Africa, Anglo American, Cronimet Power Solutions, PPC Ltd., and REVINSAMB Mineral Mining Holding.
This is the first time the African mining sector and the global renewable energy industry will meet to explore the opportunities for collaboration and understand how renewables integration can be part of the energy solution for mines. "We are delighted to launch the Johannesburg event as the African market is one of the places where there is a very clear and present need for mines to look for new energy solutions and renewables will play a pivotal role in solving their energy challenges," said Adrienne Baker, Director, Energy and Mines, a part of Canadian Clean Energy Conferences which is organizing the Summit.
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