As mines work towards reducing their electricity costs and carbon footprint, they are focusing increased attention on energy efficiency strategies. In this first of three articles on energy in mines, SRK Consulting considers where the main savings are to be made without impacting productivity.
A key point to make upfront is that any initiative to enhance energy efficiency needs to be assessed in terms of its possible impact on revenue. Anything that reduces revenue is almost certainly not worth the cost saving it promises, and for this reason is unlikely to be implemented. This is according to Andrew van Zyl, director and principal consultant at SRK Consulting.
In addition, any technology introduced to reduce energy consumption must go hand in hand with effective management,” says Van Zyl. “This means first establishing certainty that existing procedures or equipment cannot be further optimised, and then being able to implement improvements practically.”
Moving less
He points out that much of the energy used in mining is consumed in the movement of material, so any innovation that reduces the weight of equipment, the distance material must be moved or the number of times that material must be moved, will invariably help reduce energy consumption. This can sometimes be achieved with technology.
Noddy McGeorge, principal mining engineer at SRK, highlights the considerable potential to save energy by moving less waste material. “This is especially the case in underground gold mines, where large amounts of waste are raised to surface. Managing this better would allow us to leave more of it underground,” he explains.
Aiming to reduce the energy of moving material in the underground environment, SRK principal mining engineer Joseph Mainama says mines have explored options such as designing lighter skips. According to Ali Rudaki, SRK principal mining engineer, saving energy without affecting productivity needs both energy-saving technology and better mining management systems.
“While using new technology to become more energy efficient requires investment on replacement of the mining equipment, this investment might be returned over a period – because it facilitates lower operating costs.
Read the full article in Mining Review Africa
