IDTechEx: Electrification Will Take Mines Beyond Mining

The new IDTechEx report, ‘Mining Electrification: Vehicles, Generation, Repurposing 2022 – 2042’ is unique in looking at these poorly-covered aspects for 20 years ahead as well as the obvious opportunities updated. The commercially-oriented 310-page analysis reveals many surprises and gaps in the market for everything from the humble gravel pit to diamonds 4 km below, and ocean-floor mining. All are headed for zero-emission battery-electric vehicles and processing, with electricity made on-site from sun, wind, and even water power each transitioning to better versions.

Electrification is inevitable, driven by cost, regulations, health, reputation, and ever-tougher location, morphology, and toxicity of remaining reserves. The unmanned mine has arrived and, to be optimal, it can only be electric. The report explains why faster adoption is possible, giving a competitive advantage. Learn how mines often have stronger market drivers and options for electrification than other industries. For example, with emerging technologies described, all mining can store or generate required electricity but often more, creating extra income.

Solar and wind power with energy independence is the mining trend but that means increased energy storage from hours to seasonal. See how mines will incorporate gravity storage, floating solar, caverns for compressed air storage all becoming electricity when needed. The report covers these and other mine-friendly options, with examples of excellence. Indeed, mines can transition to full repurposing when they are exhausted – to energy storage and production. Much of the cost of making-good becomes profit from these and other forms of repurposing.

The report surfaces several important issues. The financial benefits of electrification are often under-estimated, leading to wrong decisions. The vehicles will less often be expensively customised and different mine-to-mine. Mines are already ordering Tesla Cybertruks and construction vehicles where appropriate. The number, cost, and market value of mining electric vehicles by type are quantified 2022 – 2042 and there is a critical appraisal of electrification activities of over 50 suppliers and mines. See a roadmap of initiatives, new options, and technology progress 2022 – 2042 benchmarking best practices in other industries that are ahead in certain respects. How will solar in mining double its electricity per unit area? How can new forms of wind power have far less dead time? Why is there scope for consolidation of the mining supplier value chain?

Raghu Das, CEO of IDTechEx explained, “Many pivotal advances will occur after ten years but they need to influence planning and viability calculations now. What timing for unmanned mines, increased processing on-site, the final death of diesel, fuel-cell shakeout, tripling the endurance of battery vehicles before recharge? Should your mine transition to being electricity and/ or storage for others? Later change of course to incorporate some of these dramatic opportunities will be expensive and sometimes even impossible. An opencast mine can provide massive solar power and massive gravity storage from summer to winter when solar is feeble. Sea-floor mining may produce its own wave and tidal power for local processing and ice for local fish farming as well. At least consider the emerging options.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/special-reports/06082021/idtechex-electrification-will-take-mines-beyond-mining/