The ASIA Miner - Reporting Important Issues to Mining Companies in the Asia Pacific Region
Issue link: https://asiaminer.epubxp.com/i/830355
Volume 14 • Issue 2 | 2017 | ASIA Miner | 25 GEKKO Systems has taken further steps towards a greener future by unveiling a prototype biodigester that will help industry turn waste into renewable energy. The project is being developed by Gekko, which is based in Ballarat, Victoria, supported by funding from the Victorian Government. An Australian first, the custom engineered shipping container con- verts bio waste into gas, electricity and odour-free fertiliser. For in- dustries like dairy farming, this will mean a waste disposal system that reduces their carbon footprint, saving money on electricity and providing a nutrient-rich fertiliser. The innovation marks a first for Gekko Systems, applying their en- gineering capability, currently used in the mining services industry, to local industry challenges and viable renewable energy generation. "We are excited to apply the skills of our talented team here in regional Victoria to a problem that the whole of Australia is facing – electricity," said Gekko Systems' technical director Sandy Gray. "The fact that our prototype also deals with waste disposal, which is another challenge Australia is grappling with, is a strong indicator that clever solutions can be created locally. Certainly we're hopeful we can improve this technology down the track to deal with other forms of waste such as council rubbish collection," added Sandy Gray. Gekko Systems has been awarded funding from the Victorian State Government via the Sector Growth Program, which supports projects that align with the Future Industries Sector Strategies -cre- ating new jobs and driving growth, productivity and increasing the competitiveness of Victorian businesses. The technology design and development of the biodigester is the result of collaboration between Gekko Systems and a piggery in Ballarat, which has operated a biodigester for a number of years to optimise treatment efficiency. The first Gekko unit will be installed at a Bungaree dairy farm in rural Victoria in mid-2017. RECENT events demonstrate how clean energy use by the mining industry, which consumes 11% of global energy, can mitigate cli- mate change on a planet where 2000 mechanised mines struggle with fuel prices, carbon emissions and logistical challenges. A number of mining companies are showing how a business that also represents 15% of all electricity use can prioritise the $13.5 trillion in commitments made at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) while helping ensure energy security for 1.2 billion. Mining requires enormous amounts of energy and energy costs can account for up to 30% of overall costs. In isolated areas, worker safety and profits render reliable, high-voltage power an urgent pri- ority while making renewables an opportunity to save billions. In 2011, the industry first began economising with renewables just before the commodities crash which sent people, equipment and infrastructure deep into far-flung corners scouring for minerals. By 2022, Navigant forecasts the use of clean energy by miners will grow to 8%, or $3.9 billion, from 1.8% today. IAMGOLD recently signed a $20 million power purchase agree- ment for a solar installation at its off-grid Essakane mine in Burkina Faso. Elsewhere in Africa, Redavia Solar announced its solar photo- voltaic (PV) expansion at Shanta Mining's New Luika gold asset. The 609Kw installation will yield 950Kw hours annually and on comple- tion, the project will annually generate 1.04 million Kwh. India is also experiencing a clean energy renaissance, including in mining. Key participants include coal firms like Coal India, which plans to install 600Mw of solar nationwide, along with Neyveli Lignite, which tendered for 260Mw of grid-connected solar PV in two states. Hindu- stan Zinc has announced the solar deployment of 115Mw. It already generates 474Mw of thermal power and 274Mw of wind. In other parts of the world the subsector has shown myriad bene- fits. These include shareholder demands for climate change trans- parency and, especially, the bedrock 'social licence to operate', essential to any mining operation. These installations create jobs while unlocking revenue for miners to invest in schools, agriculture and medical clinics along with in- frastructure. Many solar installations will be left behind for local use once the mine is closed. They also open the door for 'anchor-tenant solutions', whereby operating mines share electricity with far-off lo- cal communities. This is important for places like Africa, where 80% of new mines will be clean energy-dependent by 2026 and where 600 million live without electricity. Given that 90% of energy demand will come from emerging mar- kets by 2035, requiring $1 trillion in investments, the potential syn- ergies are endless. Mining industry embraces renewables By Joe Kirschke Biodigester turns waste into energy Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan (second from right) with Gekko Systems Biogas Technology Group general manager Tony Stone (left), Gekko's managing director Elizabeth Lewis-Gray and Gekko's Innovation, Collaboration and Research group manager Richard Goldberg.