Mineral Resources (MinRes) is powering up Onslow Iron’s energy future with construction under way on a 3.8-megawatt solar array at its Ken’s Bore mine site.
Featuring more than 6,600 solar panels, the Onslow Iron array is set to displace approximately 95 terajoules of natural gas per year and predicted to reduce associated emissions by around 4,990 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
General Manager Operations and Development Energy Rowan Hill said 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,” Rowan 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.”
Complementing the Ken’s Bore solar array is a dedicated gas pipeline set to become connected to the mine’s power station, constructed through internal collaboration between MinRes teams.
MinRes Executive General Manager Onslow Mike Tonkin said Onslow Iron is now one step closer to more efficient power.
“This solar array highlights another successful collaboration between MinRes’ Energy and Engineering and Construction teams,” Mike said.
“The project will deliver significant emissions savings as we continue to progress Onslow Iron.”
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 981 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Commencement of solar array construction at Onslow Iron follows the successful installation of a 2.1-megawatt solar panel-battery system at the Wonmunna iron ore project in 2023.
MinRes is committed to understanding and managing its climate related obligations, risks and opportunities, prioritising a practical and project-based approach using known technologies that are economically feasible and available today.
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.
