Abstract
Mining is an inherently energy-intensive industry, where energy consumption accounts for a large portion of operating costs and 100% of scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions. To meet the Paris Agreement goals of keeping the temperature rise well below 2° Celsius, the shareholders' demands, and in accord with the major sustainability and science-based organizations' objectives and criteria, mining companies are committing to significant GHG emission reduction targets by 2030 and, in industry-leading cases, to carbon neutrality by 2050.
Such goals will require disruption to conventional thinking on mine energy sources such as diesel and electricity generated from fossil fuels. Figuring out the roadmaps that leverage innovation and technology to achieve the targets will be a strategic priority for every mining company's sustainability and energy decision-makers in the next few years.
Driven by technology advances in renewables and high-capacity battery storage, hydrogen, electrification of mobile equipment, distributed generation, aspirations for the world's sustainable future and long-term energy security are fueling the most dynamic and diverse energy management market in our history.
What technologies will play key roles in this transformative environment, and when are specific technologies projected to go mainstream? How can the industry better use various existing and emerging technologies to meet the growing demands of the low carbon future? We will explore these questions considering a wide range of opportunities.