Mineral Resources installs 2.1MW solar-battery system at Wonmunna

Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) has successfully installed a 2.1MW solar-battery system at its Wonmunna iron ore project in WA’s Pilbara region.

Installation of the 4000 solar panels is now complete and following testing and optimisation, the technology is providing significant benefits for site operations and reducing dependency on diesel fuel.

The solar-battery system will produce more than 30% of the mine’s power requirements and cut diesel consumption by roughly 760,000l per year. It will also reduce the site’s carbon emissions by around 2000t of carbon dioxide equivalent each year.

Additionally, the crusher is 100% powered by the solar-battery system during the middle of the day when renewable output meets peak plant load.

In the warmer summer months, the system can displace more than 40%, and with a 20-year life span, it can be redeployed to other operations once Wonmunna reaches its end of life.

Mineral Resources chief executive of energy Darren Hardy said the system is a major step forward in the company’s renewable energy strategy.

“MinRes is committed to pursuing renewable energy opportunities where we can and our team has been working hard to deliver a solar array and battery solution that delivers optimum output at Wonmunna,” he said.

“Together with natural gas, renewables will play an important role in our energy future, and MinRes continues to pursue off-grid solar power and energy storage solutions to support our remote locations.”

At Mineral Resources’ upcoming Onslow iron project, a range of energy solutions will be installed designed to offset diesel with alternative fuels and renewable energy options, energy storage and electrification of mobile equipment and transport.