Ken’s Bore mine powers up with solar array

Mineral Resources (MinRes) (ASX: MIN) is constructing a 3.8MW solar array, featuring more than 6,600 solar panels, at the Ken’s Bore mine site at its Onslow Iron project.

It is set to displace about 95TJ of natural gas per year and predicted to reduce emissions by about 4,990tpa of carbon dioxide.

MinRes general manager operations and development energy Rowan Hill says the technology, together with a battery energy storage system, is planned to become operational by January 2025 to supplement the mine’s power generation system.

“Together with natural gas, renewables play an important role in our energy transition – especially solar power to support our remote locations,” he said.

“At Onslow Iron, a range of renewable energy solutions is being designed to offset more adverse fuels and our Energy division continues to pursue cleaner and more reliable power sources.”

Ken’s Bore also has a dedicated gas pipeline set to become connected to the mine’s power station.

MinRes continues to implement solar power solutions across its operations and facilities, including solar panels installed at Perth-based facilities, which have so far reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 981tpa of carbon dioxide.

Commencement of solar array construction at Onslow Iron follows the successful installation of a 2.1MW solar panel-battery system at the Wonmunna iron ore project in 2023.

The company’s Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions prioritises transitional fuels, including natural gas, scope two emission grid power and renewable energy sources to displace diesel fuel.