An Approach to Energy Management at the Mine Site
Published: January 11,2024Not all mine sites have the awareness, expertise, resources, or maturity level to recognize energy management opportunities. By improving awareness of these opportunities, mine sites can make informed energy management decisions to support decarbonization and lower operating costs.
This project is focused on practical energy management strategies to help mining companies cut costs and emissions through three streams of activity:
- White Paper Development – Clear guidance on integrating energy considerations into project planning, procurement, and operations.
- Case Study Collection – Real-world examples of equipment replacement, hybrid retrofits, renewables integration, and idle management systems.
- Webinar Series – Sharing lessons learned and highlighting successes across the industry.
It provides a structured approach to mine site energy optimization, focusing on:
- Energy Auditing & Efficiency Strategies: Identifying energy loss points in comminution, ventilation, and material handling.
- Decarbonization Roadmaps: Transitioning to renewable energy sources and hybrid power systems.
- KPI Development: Establishing benchmarks for energy intensity per ton mined and renewable energy integration ratios.
BACKGROUND
Site operations are typically conducting improvement projects that can positively impact energy consumption and carbon emissions; however, they are typically not framed with an energy management or decarbonization context.
PURPOSE
To develop a paper which improves energy management and decarbonization literacy, targeted at site operations. The paper will consider the connections between pre-existing cost and efficiency approaches and supporting corporate decarbonization goals.
Specific objectives include:
- Defining a methodology to incorporate energy management and decarbonization principles into projects and providing case studies
- Defining key terms (i.e., energy management, decarbonization) and their differences
- Enhancing the reader’s knowledge of data and energy management measures that could be implemented at mine sites
- Providing a certain level of awareness to those responsible for energy management activities
- Identifying KPIs for assessing energy performance of common mining and mineral processing activities and data needed for them
- Providing examples of energy management (i.e. use cases)
- Creating or nurturing an energy management culture within an organization
IN SCOPE
- Energy supply
- Operating phase including:
- Underground mining activities
- Surface mining activities
- Processing activities (i.e. comminution, smelting, refining)
OUT OF SCOPE
- Exploration and closure phases of a mine
- Catalogue energy management (future consideration)
- Specific company names and technology models
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Under development.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
In recent workshops, participants shared challenges and successes when introducing or upgrading equipment. Key themes included:
- Building energy awareness across operations.
- Embedding energy performance in procurement specs.
- Simulating energy use and cost-benefit for equipment decisions.
- Practical examples: haul truck idle management, hybrid diesel-electric dozers, smelter electrification, and grid-aware charging.
We’re seeking more volunteers to contribute case studies, join the steering committee, and help shape this new white paper. If you’re interested in getting involved, contact Heather at hturnbull@gmggroup.org .
Project Steering Committee
Chih-Ting Lo – EELO Solutions
Michelle Levesque – NRCAN
Ron Bose – XPS-Glencore
Get Involved
To get involved contact us at: gmgprojects@gmggroup.org