Savannah Resources provides a decarbonisation update at its Barroso lithium project

The goals of the initial study were as follows: to update the pre-decarbonisation estimate of the project’s greenhouse gas inventory; identify and investigate opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the project; and to create a preliminary decarbonisation strategy to reach net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions over the life of the project.

Highlights:

• Confirmation that battery electric mining equipment will provide the most effective and flexible means to reduce Scope 1 emissions at the project to zero. Scope 1 emissions represent 68% of the Scope 1 and 2 total.
• The estimate of Scope 2 baseline emissions has been reduced by 54% from the original 2019 forecast, based on the potential for a reduction in the estimated power requirement of the project’s plant and a 41% reduction in the emissions associated with Portugal’s grid power.
• In 2021, 62.2% of Portugal’s grid power was generated from renewable sources.
• A number of viable options are available to secure 100% renewable energy supply to the project including regional solar and wind generation, on market purchase, via direct power purchase agreements, or a combination of these. Use of 100% renewable energy would reduce the project’s Scope 2 emissions to zero.
• Future work will include:
  • More detailed analysis of these and other initiatives as part of the definitive feasibility study on the project.
  • Studies with a number of mining equipment OEMs to determine a site-specific solution for a transition to battery operated mining fleet and associated charging infrastructure.

Dale Ferguson, CEO of Savannah said:

"I am extremely encouraged with the results from the initial decarbonisation study work and the clear path it helps to define for further carbon reduction throughout the project’s life. Firstly, it is positive that the project’s carbon footprint, prior to execution of our decarbonisation strategy, is going to be smaller than initially estimated back in 2019, due to a potential 54% reduction in Scope 2 emissions. This, in turn, is due to a possible reduction in the power requirement of the plant, which could be achieved through greater efficiencies, and a 41% reduction in the emissions associated with Portuguese grid power as the contribution of renewable energy increased to over 60% in 2020 and was maintained above this threshold in 2021.

“Together with our technical partners, including ABB, we have a particular focus on either eliminating or significantly reducing the potential impacts of the project, both locally and more generally in terms of emissions. Our initial work with the OEM’s suggests that we will likely have access to both electric road haulage trucks and mine haul trucks early in the project’s life, which will significantly reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions. We are also exploring other ways to increase our percentage of renewables in the power mix to further reduce our Scope 2 emissions.

“As part of our DFS study we will complete further detailed analysis to continue to drive our goal of achieving a net zero carbon emission project.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/06022023/savannah-resources-provides-a-decarbonisation-update-at-its-barroso-lithium-project/