Ravensthorpe nickel mine embraces wind power to cut carbon emissions

The owners of the Ravensthorpe nickel mine in Western Australia have become the latest resource company to embrace wind power in order to lower carbon emissions. With the Southern Ocean providing strong winds, the proposed installation is expected to generate 18–20 megawatts of energy, reducing the mine’s reliance on diesel generators. Canada’s First Quantum Minerals and South Korean steelmaker POSCO own 70% of the Ravensthorpe mine.

The company is part of a wider movement in the mining industry to adopt renewable energy, with nickel’s use in electric vehicle batteries being a key motivator. The wind turbines are expected to be operational by late 2024 or early 2025, following the completion of environmental and government approvals and the supply chain availability of turbines.

Potential environmental impact:

The wind farm will significantly reduce the mine’s carbon footprint, as well as its dependence on diesel power generators. The move is in line with the wider trend in the mining industry towards embracing renewable energy, with several other resource companies in Western Australia such as BHP and Northern Star Resources also making the switch. The Ravensthorpe wind farm will contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix in Western Australia.