The global mining industry will meet with renewable energy developers, suppliers and investors this September 25-26 at the Renewable Energy and Mining Summit which creates a much-needed platform for these two sectors to network and discuss the opportunities for powering mines with renewable energy.
The mining industry is facing a major energy challenge brought on rising fuel costs, challenges in securing reliable and affordable electricity, and carbon policy developments. These, in combination with decreasing deposit grades and increasing depths for underground mines and scales for open pits, is driving mines to consider renewable energy options for powering mining sites.

The Renewable Energy and Mining Summit will bring together the global mining industry and the renewable energy sector to outline the opportunities and barriers for solving mining’s energy challenge with renewable energy sources. Hatch is the principal sponsor of this inaugural event which will showcase the latest case studies from mining operations around the world which have integrated renewables and offer important insight on the economics, integration, finance, technologies and viability of using renewable energy sources for mines.

Among the mining companies confirmed to speak are representatives from Barrick Gold, Kinross, Rio Tinto, Teck Resources Limited, Vale, American Vanadium, Cronimet Mining - Power Solutions, and Volcan.“As mine operators we have the continued challenge to find smarter lower cost options to substitute existing practices,” commented Liezl van Wyk, Manager of Business Improvement at Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., who is speaking at the Summit. “I am looking forward to this platform to exchange ideas and meet with players that are tackling similar issues”.

“Mining is interested in understanding how renewables can meet their energy needs with consistent, reliable, affordable energy and the renewable energy industry would like to know the size and scope of the opportunity to supply this energy-intensive sector with projects and products,” commented Adrienne Baker, Director, Canadian Clean Energy Conferences which is organizing the Summit. “This event will offer both sectors the complete picture of where the opportunities are and how to access them.”

“Hatch is excited to participate in this event. We are confident the quality of topics and diversity of presenters will drive value for our clients and participants,” said Rob Lydan, Hatch’s Director of Solar and Wind. “Hatch has and continues to make significant investments in both the technology and management of renewable power for remote grids. We look forward to participation and hope to see you in September.”

“As responsible industry stakeholders, we cannot afford to ignore inflating diesel prices, or accountability for our carbon emissions,” added Moritz Hill, Director, Cronimet Mining AG, who is presenting at the Summit. “Miners must become energy innovators and, as a result, our industry is approaching a tipping point. Our rural captive power systems will be synchronized with cost effective and reliable renewable energy power solutions.”

“Today frontier mining operations do have a choice to hedge against the cost of rising diesel fuel and carbon emissions,” commented Rollie Armstrong of Solea Capital which developed the first utility scale PV/diesel system for Cronimet. “Large megawatt-scale photovoltaic power plants are already providing mining companies with predictable, stable and emission free daytime electricity that is decoupled from inflation.”

While the cost and reliability of renewable sources now make them viable options for mining operations, there are issues related to resource intermittency, financing, payback timelines, technological performance, integration, and energy profile matching that need to be understood. The Summit will directly address these areas to provide mining companies with the required insight to make informed choices on renewable energy. The Summit will also provide renewable energy developers and suppliers with an understanding of how mines are assessing renewable energy options.

Alongside this event, Canadian Clean Energy Conferences will be producing the Renewable Energy and Mining Industry Report which will provide details on the various case studies from mining companies featured at the event.
For more information on the Summit visit www.renewablesandmining.com or contact adrienne.baker@canadianclean.com at 819 459 1462 for any questions.