The end of an era for the EMC

The Electric Mine Consortium was created in 2020 when a group of leading mining and service companies joined forces with the ambition to accelerate progress towards the fully electrified zero CO2 and zero particulates mine.

Over the last four years, the EMC has made significant progress towards achieving this vision and has been a catalyst for significant change within the broader industry.

“I think the resounding comment is the EMC has opened up this (the electrification) space.”

EMC Member Executive

With electrification kick-started, it has become clear that now is the time to pass the baton on to the individual companies and their leaders to continue the work.

As such, the EMC has come to a natural conclusion and will wrap up on 30 September 2024.

The members are well placed to accelerate electrification. Roadmaps have been established and a deep understanding of the available technology is in place. Operational needs have become varied and specialised, so individual companies will drive their own bespoke partnerships and trials with suppliers.

Given the advancements in technology, and the development of industry capability, it is now feasible to transition to an all-electric fleet. This has been confirmed in a white paper released by EMC members Perenti and IGO, along with ABB. Members have worked collaboratively over the last few years to raise each other’s maturity levels. It is now up to each company to continue investing in their unique course of electrification.

Looking back on the achievements

The EMC leaves a strong legacy of advancing electrification through the member aspirations it has influenced, the initiatives it has developed and the networks it has created.  

200 + people from participant organisations have been involved in the EMC across many dozens of workshops and meetings annually. CEOs have gathered on multiple occasions to collectively understand the challenges and provide direction. The EMC has liaised with a wide range of government agencies to help them understand industry needs, particularly in supporting the transition.

Some of the projects the EMC has delivered include:  

• Multiple supplier engagements, such as expressions of interest, to establish member understanding of key technologies across energy storage, energy management, and all fleet types.
• The identification of multiple simulation technologies applicable to mine design, through open-source challenges and supplier engagement, bringing capability to the industry.
• The development of financial modelling for electric mine design for multiple member assets, demonstrating the electrification business case and design trade-offs.
• Undertaking over 70 member equipment trials across all fleet types, supplemented by an industry first data sharing platform, leading to accelerated equipment adoption.
• Playing a lead role in progressing shared energy infrastructure in the broader Kalgoorlie Goldfields region.
• Introducing carbon measurement trialling resulting in the acceleration of direct tracking of emissions.

Moving forward, EMC companies are committed to continuing the journey through focussed collaboration, building on the networks established through the EMC. Members will continue to work with suppliers to develop equipment and progress trials at their sites.  In the coming months members will also communicate how they will continue their electrification plans.

Over the last four years, the EMC has been dedicated to powering the mining industry’s journey towards a decarbonised future.

The industry is now primed for electrification… Are you ready?