Sun-Drenched Miners Look to the Skies to Cut Fuel Costs in Half
- Solar-power market for mining forecast to reach $2 Billion
- Industry seeking to cut emissions and costs with renewables
Miners Turn to the Sun to Cut Costs
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The DeGrussa copper and gold mine in Australia’s sun-scorched outback is getting a solar farm, the latest example of the industry embracing clean energy.
The plant will replace about 5 million liters (1.3 million gallons) of diesel a year, a fifth of the mine’s energy needs. Energy generated by the system may eventually cost about half that of diesel-generated power, according to Sandfire Resources NL, the deposit’s owner.