Decarbonization of remote mine electricity supply and vehicle fleets

The need to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions is becoming more and more apparent. To avoid a tipping point, scientists agree that emissions need to reach net zero by 2050, which will require unprecedented changes to the way electricity is generated, particularly for remote off-grid mines. In this paper, the potential to achieve 100% renewable penetration for a remote mine will be investigated, with an example case study for a mine in the Canadian Arctic. Five key pillars to achieve net zero operation will be discussed: energy efficiency, hybrid power, microgrid integration, alternative vehicles, and low carbon technologies. In addition, the state-of-the-art in renewable generation, energy storage, and hydrogen storage are presented. The key enablers for a mine to achieve 100% renewable penetration for electricity and vehicles are identified, along with benchmark costs and savings opportunities. Strategies and challenges for existing mines to achieve high renewable penetration are discussed. The remote mine of the future will be significantly different from today’s operations; changes to the operating strategy and process, energy generation, and vehicle fleet will be the key enablers.