As the first to electrify mining operations, a Shell-led consortium is expected to create opportunities for huge CO2 savings potential, a diverse range of applications and a significant new market, writes Taavi Madiberk, CEO of Skeleton Technologies.

The mining industry emits between 1.9-5.1Gt of CO2 equivalents per year, representing about 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to a study by McKinsey. So far, efforts to cut these emissions have been sparse and the industry is increasingly under pressure to make a move. Diesel-powered mobile equipment comprises up to half of mining’s CO2 emissions. Methane leakages from coal mining are responsible for 3-6%, which must be minimised by phasing out fossil fuels in the long term.

Mining operations alone cause 1%, because of their electricity consumption and inefficient large-scale equipment […]