Can solar power be used in high-temperature mining?

While current concentrated solar power, wind, and solar PV technology can provide cost-effective thermal energy in favorable renewable energy resource areas above 400 ° C, most high-temperature-energy-intensive mining activities require temperatures beyond those achieved by current commercially available concentrated solar power.

Can solar energy be used in mining?

The integration of solar energy into mining processes opens an opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint associated with mining activity. Nowadays, there is no difference between 1 lb. of copper produced at two different plants.

Is solar a good option for mining operations?

Solar for the mining operations is, at the moment, still a relatively small niche. This means that we should make significant efforts in order to increase the share of solar and clean energy sources of the entire energy supply structure.

Should mining companies invest in solar energy?

As energy is one of the main cost drivers for mining companies, they can benefit from solar technology through considerable cost savings. It is obvious that economics remain a key driver in the decision to include solar energy projects in mine development plans. Moreover, there are already projects for grid-connected solar systems.

Should copper mining use concentrating solar power?

When the target is replacing fossil fuel energy from the grid with solar energy, where the electricity is mainly Alternative Current (AC), the copper mining industry should consider Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) in its future energy mix (Chiloane, 2012). This is particularly true when the operation is located far away from the grid.

Which mining sites have large battery storage?

An example of a mining site with large battery storage developed by JUWI on the African continent is the Sukari solar plant in Egypt for Centamin. The plant comprises a 36 MW solar farm and 7.5 MWh battery energy storage system commissioned in late 2022.