Abstract
Detachment from the power grid and natural gas pipeline makes the remote mines in the cold climate regions of Canada heavily dependent on diesel fuel for both power generation and heating purposes. Although renewable energy solutions are providing partial power for few remote mines, the levelized cost of such solutions has kept their penetration level low as compared to diesel-generated power. As a result, diesel generators are still a viable choice for these remote mines. However, even under the best practice operating conditions, diesel generators discard 30%~40% of their fuel heat input in their exhaust. At the same time, many remote mines rely upon fossil fuels for heating purposes. This resigned dependence on fossil fuels for power and heating results in millions of liters of diesel consumption per year and substantial carbon footprints. This research focuses on developing an integrated heat, power, and carbon management strategy for remote mines comprising an exhaust heat recovery system and carbon sequestration in tailings storage facilities. The proposed technology provides direct heating during long Canadian winter seasons. In both surface and underground mining operations, the proposed carbon sequestration technology aims at injecting diesel generator flue gas (after cooling) in the tailings in a sustainable way. Based on its reactivity, the tailings will capture carbon from the flue gas streams, which effectively results in the provision of carbon-neutral mine heat and power. This technology will help remote mining, oil, and gas operations of Canada with the alleviation of their carbon footprints and cutting their carbon emissions.