zero carbon by 2050 or sooner. With current technology, we can know how much energy is being used in various mining and process- ing functions. In the past, mining companies could dismiss energy as “uncontrollable” in relation to other costs. That is simply not the case to- day. Even across different power sup - plies, we can assess how much energy is used. A mine might run off diesel generators because it has no connec- tion to the grid. Or, it may have clean hydro power supplied by a local util- ity. In either case, there is a cost in- volved. Understanding a mine’s energy should kickstart efficiency discus - sions to reduce energy usage, GHG emissions, and overall cost. The en- ergy audit is the catalyst to start these discussions. The resulting energy re- ductions will reduce our industry’s GHG emissions. Why conduct an energy audit? Reducing energy use and/or the cost of operating the mine is typically the key objective of an energy audit. It is important to fully understand the goals of the organization and its
stakeholders beyond general objec- tives. Mine managers and owners should determine their own “why” for conducting the audit because that will shape the scope of the work. Other potential benefits of an en - ergy audit may include: n Building a world-class mining operation n Improving processes, systems, and behaviors n Instilling efficient and effective mining practices n Identifying ways to digitize, improve safety, and reduce GHG emissions n Gaining a competitive advan- tage n Creating a culture that builds awareness around ways to improve How does it work? The idea of an energy audit is nothing new. We have seen it on a small scale in our own homes, but it’s also existed for decades in commer- cial buildings. The tools that auditors use for formal building audits provide a basis for understanding mining en- ergy audits. However, there are dis- tinct differences. Audits for buildings
are well-defined with standards. The American Society of Heating, Refrig- erating and Air Conditioning Engi- neers is a primary one. Typically, energy use across buildings is pre- dictable and measurable. The stan- dards and consistency allow auditors to use benchmarks. In contrast, mining energy audits have no formal guidelines. Mining operations have far more variables. Key variables may include the mine’s commodity, size or depth, location, age, and methods. An additional vari- able that can also make comparative benchmarking difficult in mining is mineral deposit quality. Lower grades with more waste rock will take more energy to mine and process. Auditors also must consider the energy demand of mining haul trucks. These trucks can be the size of a house! They can burn as much as 80 gallons of fuel per hour or more, cre- ating an immense carbon footprint. The truck’s footprint is intensified by the materials used to build the truck and the supplies used to maintain it. CONTINUED on PAGE 24
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Spring 2023
The Alaska Miner
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