Global Metals Miner Digs For More Solar Power

• Rio Tinto announces 2 new solar PV power stations for its bauxite mining operations  
• With a combined capacity of 10.5 MW, both projects will be located at its Gove Peninsula location in Australia  
• It sees investment in solar as ensuring sustainable power for the region beyond mining as it gets ready to shutter the mine by 2030 

Global metals mining giant Rio Tinto sees its continued investment in solar power as a 'positive legacy' for the local communities long after its mining operations cease. This is what it is planning for the Gove Peninsula in Australia where it plans to install 2 new solar farms.  

Each with 5.25 MW capacity, these solar farms will be built on company leases in Gumatj and Rirratjingu country in the Northern Territory. British mobile, modular power solutions company Aggreko will construct, own and operate the 10.5 MW PV capacity.  

Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2024 with completion due for early 2025.  

Gove is from where Rio Tinto ships its bauxite to the Queensland Alumina Limited and Yarwun refineries in Gladstone, Australia, as well as to the global markets. Its bauxite mine here has been operational for more than 40 years.    

"We're excited to work with the Gumatj and Rirratjingu clans to provide an opportunity to secure alternative electricity generation assets on their country and to discuss opportunities to commercialise energy infrastructure in the future," said Rio Tinto Gove Operations Acting General Manager Shannon Price. "We are working in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Traditional Owners to ensure a smooth transition of leased land and town assets and infrastructure as Rio Tinto prepares to stop mining at Gove later this decade." 

Once online, the solar farms will reduce the region's annual diesel consumption by about 20% or 4.5 million liters a year, according to the miner.   

Price added, "The solar farms are also part of our ongoing commitment to decarbonise our business. Once operational, they are expected to reduce annual CO2e emissions at our Gove operations by up to 17%. We intend for these farms to underpin sustainable power for the region beyond mining." 

Meanwhile, the mining giant's Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada is now home to the 'largest' off-grid solar power plant across the country's territories. The 3.5 MW solar power plant will help the mine reduce diesel consumption by 1 million liters/year with 4.2 million kWh solar energy production/year.  

The Diavik solar plant was announced in August 2023. Rio Tinto secured the Canadian government's Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit for the same (see Canadian Diamonds Made With Solar Power).