BHP turns to renewables to power the huge Escondida copper mine in Chile
BHP is in the final stages of contracting a renewables power supply for the 1.2M tonne operation-the world’s biggest mine.
The company says it expects to make significant cost savings when it replaces gas with renewable energy to provide most, if not all, the power at Escondida.
The move forms part of a tender of its electricity supply in both Chile and Australia, including the Olympic Dam project.
“We’re now in the late stages of securing a long-term contract for renewable power supply that could deliver significant cost savings relative to our current gas-fired supply,” BHP’s Chief External Affairs Officer, Geoff Healy, reportedly told a briefing to investors in London on “social values”.
Healy said the decision to invest in renewable energy is not only aligned with its sustainability goals but also makes economic sense. He said Escondida would also look to desalinate water using renewable energy technologies.
BHP has a five year, $US400M climate spending program to cut emissions. It includes converting site vehicles from diesel to electric, development of new technologies, including batteries and new steel making processes, cutting its own direct emissions, and encouraging suppliers and customers to do the same.
BHP Billiton joins other global mining companies that have already tapped Chile’s rich solar and wind resources to supply their local operations.
Mr Healy’s talk: https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/media/reports-and-presentations/2019/191008_socialvaluebriefing.pdf?la=en