A path less travelled to unlocking energy efficiency in mining

Why the ‘process approach’ is the key in open cast mining

Is there a methodology to improve energy efficiency in open cast mining? By focusing on reducing the high energy intensity of their processes, the argument is that conventional energy saving efforts often fail to achieve the desired results.

The quest for efficiency in solid mineral mining is critical, especially when employing the open cast method and cyclical technologies.

Here, the energy intensity of the main technological processes consumes a massive 60–70% of the total cost of production and haulage operations.

Traditional attempts at energy conservation focus on simple activities like monitoring fuel consumption or ensuring equipment availability. But these practices often fail to deliver meaningful reductions in cost or increases in efficiency.

This failure is primarily rooted in the lack of a developed energy efficiency methodology.

Cover photo:   graf_montekristo©123rf