Mining supplies the copper, lithium, nickel and other minerals the world needs for electric vehicles, wind turbines and power grids, yet the industry itself has long relied on diesel and fossil-fuelled electricity.
That tension is driving real change across the sector, with operators and equipment manufacturers such as Sandvik Mining developing cleaner machinery and smarter ways of working. Here are ten practical ways mining companies are reducing their carbon footprint today.
1. Switching to Battery-Electric Equipment
Diesel-powered loaders, haul trucks and drill rigs are one of the largest sources of a mine’s direct emissions. Battery-electric machines produce no exhaust at the point of use, and underground they also cut heat and diesel particulates. Their overall carbon benefit grows as the electricity used to charge them comes from cleaner sources.
2. Powering Sites with Renewable Energy
Many remote mines have traditionally run on diesel generators. Operators are now adding solar farms, wind turbines and battery storage, often as hybrid microgrids.
Gold Fields’ Agnew gold mine in Western Australia, for example, combines wind, solar, battery storage and gas to meet a large share of its power needs. Grid-connected mines are also signing renewable power purchase agreements.
3. Using Trolley-Assist Haulage
In open-pit mines, loaded trucks burn the most fuel climbing out of the pit. Trolley-assist systems use overhead power lines, similar to those on electric trams, to drive diesel-electric trucks up these ramps on electricity instead. Boliden has used trolley-assist at its Aitik copper mine in Sweden, one of Europe’s largest open-pit operations.
4. Ventilating Underground Mines on Demand
Ventilation is one of the biggest energy demands in an underground mine, because fresh air must reach every working area. Ventilation-on-demand systems use sensors and tracking to direct airflow only where people and machines are working. Moving to battery-electric fleets strengthens the case, as removing diesel exhaust reduces how much air is needed.
5. Applying Automation and Data Analytics
Automated and remotely operated machines can run with consistent speed, braking and routing, which helps reduce wasted fuel and energy. Fleet management software tracks idling, travel distances and energy use, showing managers where savings are possible. Better planning also means fewer unnecessary journeys across a site.
6. Replacing Trucks with Conveyors
Moving rock by electric conveyor is generally more energy efficient than hauling it by diesel truck over long distances. In-pit crushing and conveying (IPCC) systems crush ore close to where it is mined and carry it out on conveyor belts. This reduces the number of truck journeys and the fuel they consume.
7. Making Mineral Processing More Efficient
Comminution, the crushing and grinding of ore, is among the most energy-intensive stages of mining. Sensor-based ore sorting removes waste rock before it reaches the mill, so less material needs grinding. Technologies such as high-pressure grinding rolls can also use less energy than conventional milling for suitable ore types.
8. Trialling Lower-Carbon Fuels
Where diesel engines remain in use, some operators are switching to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a renewable diesel that can be used in many existing engines. Others are testing hydrogen. Anglo American unveiled a prototype hydrogen-powered haul truck at its Mogalakwena platinum mine in South Africa in 2022.
9. Extending Equipment Life
Manufacturing a new mining machine carries a significant carbon cost through steel production and transport. Rebuilding machines, remanufacturing components and following good maintenance practice keeps equipment working for longer. This circular approach reduces the embodied emissions linked to replacing fleets.
10. Capturing Methane and Storing Carbon
Coal mines release methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide over the short term. Capturing this gas to generate power, or destroying it before release, cuts emissions substantially.
Some miners are also researching how certain types of mine tailings can naturally absorb and lock away carbon dioxide from the air, and how to speed up that process.
The Road Ahead
No single measure will decarbonise mining on its own. The biggest gains come from combining approaches: cleaner power, electrified fleets, efficient processing and longer-lasting equipment.
As demand for the minerals behind the energy transition keeps rising, the companies that cut their own emissions will be best placed to supply a lower-carbon world.
Holding a Master’s in Construction Management from Purdue University, William Ray has dedicated more than two decades to studying and applying construction principles. His professional journey includes a tenure with a prominent construction firm, where he specialized in project management and building technologies. William brought his knowledge to our team, providing in-depth insights into practical construction techniques. As the leader of our beginner’s guide to building since 2019, he has a knack for breaking down intricate processes into easily digestible content. When not involved in writing or onsite consultations, William enjoys woodworking and volunteering in community building projects, which aligns with his passion for hands-on construction and community service.
