ABSTRACT
The cost of energy is projected to rise due to factors including infrastructure costs to transmit and distribute energy, commodity prices, exchange rates and geopolitical factors. Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective strategies for managing rising energy costs and growing concerns over greenhouse gas emissions. The mining industry has traditionally relied on conventional fossilbased fuel sources such as diesel, oil, coal and natural gas. This industry has a great opportunity to explore renewable sources, in order to meet its growing energy demands. Mining companies, especially those at remote locations, need to understand the nature and availability of local renewable energy – from geothermal and hydroelectric to solar and wind and biomass. The alternative energy sources often translate to reducing CO2 emissions. In this chapter, alternative energy sources such as solar energy, microwave energy, geothermal energy, nuclear energy, blue energy, bioenergy and waste energy recovery and their application in the mineral sector are discussed.
