Mineral Resources (MinRes) has announced a solar energy initiative at its Ken's Bore mine, part of the Onslow Iron project, to transition to renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on natural gas.
The 3.8 MW solar array and more than 6,600 solar panels are expected to displace about 95 TJ of natural gas annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4,990 tons per year.
In addition, special The gas pipeline, developed in collaboration between MinRes teams, will complement Ken's Bore solar array when it is connected to the mine's power station.
Rowan Hill, the company's general manager of operations and energy development, said the array in combined with a battery energy storage system, it is planned to be in operation before January 2025 to meet the mine's electricity needs.