Renewable energy and mining

Better fit for mining and renewable energy

There is quite a number of factors on both sides that have lead in the last years to a better fit of renewable energy and the mining industry. Many experts expect a boom of renewable energy applications at remote mines in the near future (see section developments).

Business Models for renewable energy applications in the mining sector

Mining companies can get involved to different degrees into renewable energies. They can invest or co-invest into wind or solar power plants. There are several providers who offer leasing contracts for solar power plants. Finally, mines can buy electricity through PPAs from renewable plants.

Plant database for solar and wind applications in the mining industry

The plant database contains power plants with the following technologies:

• Solar power plants
  • PV
  • CPV
  • CSP
  • solar thermal
• Wind power plants

There are different applications:

• wind- or solar-diesel-hybrid-power plants (diesel reduction)
• renewable energy power plants with PPAs from nearby mines
• renewable energy plants at grid-connected mines
• Plants that deliver process heat (solar thermal)
• Renewable enery plants on reclaimed mine sites

At this stage neither biomass (or biogas) nor hydro power plants are included. In addition, cases in which a mining company invests into renewable energy plants and does not consume the energy are not included either.