Renewable energy in the mining industry: Status, opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Currently, the mining sector is confronted with declining ore grades, volatile energy prices, and environmental pollution from massive carbon emissions. Due to the advantages of RE in terms of emission reduction and cost, some mining companies are actively exploring integrating RE in production to alleviate these challenges. At the same time, the integration of RE in mining sites also faces many obstacles. This paper highlights the importance of incorporating RE into mining projects through a comprehensive review of existing research and analyzes the opportunities and challenges from multiple perspectives. Finally, the conclusions summarize the gaps in existing work and provide appropriate recommendations. The paper aims to inform and provide implications for the transition to RE practices in the mining industry.