Published on : 10/05/2022 – 11:29
The giants of the sector are present in Cape Town, South Africa for the Mining Indaba conference. A return to face-to-face for this unmissable meeting of the mining industry following two years of absence due to the Covid-19 epidemic. This year, the profession has only one word in its mouth: decarbonization.
From our special correspondent in Cape Town,
The important thing in a salon is to get noticed. And it’s been a success for the Anglo American group, which unveiled a revolutionary machine last week. The largest hydrogen-powered truck in the world. A prototype on which Carl van den Ordel has been working for two years and which he considers very promising: “ By way of comparison, the same truck, without a hydrogen engine, consumes between 3,500 and 4,500 liters of diesel per day. The objective is to equip all of our mines and achieve carbon neutrality in 8 of our mines in 2030 and the whole group in 2040 ».
By equipping 40 trucks with hydrogen engines, the Anglo American group might save 1 million liters of diesel per year. This innovation was welcomed by the South African Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe: “ I am convinced that we will see several fleets of hydrogen trucks in South Africa by the end of the decade. It’s in Africa that it’s happening, it’s in Africa that it works. Investors please come to Africa, the future is here ».
Towards carbon neutrality
The hunt for diesel must not stop at the trucks that operate on the mines. The industry is dependent on heavy goods vehicles transporting cobalt, copper and coal from the mining areas to the ports. Zambia’s new president, Hakainde Hichilema, has called for better regional rail integration. ” It is imperative that we work together: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the DRC. Really, we need to find common ground to fix our railroad to transport our goods and services…mining included ».
Investing in the energy transition is one of the themes of this Mining Indaba show. The mining industry is projected until 2050. And 2050 is precisely the objective that the company Vedanta Resources has set itself to achieve carbon neutrality, explanation of Chamelle Kearns in charge of innovations for the group: “ We are working to become green metal producers. That is to say that we make sure to reduce our carbon emissions by using renewable energies on a group scale. When you look at all the presentations that have been made, you really see that carbon footprint reduction, industry awareness are shared goals ».
Fostering the sustainable development of African mining economies
The race for a greening of mining activities is the business of energy transition consultants, such as Mark Dickson. He works for the DSS firm, and he sees the potential that remains to be unlocked: “Teveryone dressed in green! There have been efforts in the electrification of equipment, in the introduction of hydrogen as a fuel… on the other hand, fewer promises to reduce CO2 emissions. But it’s understandable, big companies have to be careful of their shareholders. Climate activists speak of zero carbon emissions as the absolute goal. I don’t question it, but don’t underestimate the incredible complexity and challenges this presents for the industry.. »
Soaring energy prices, discussed during the show, should convince the mining industry to save money by turning its back on fossil fuels.
► To listen also: Copper: the future second largest mine in the world comes into operation in the DRC
