A mining perspective on the potential of renewable electricity sources for operations in South Africa Part I—the research approach and internal evaluation process
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The business performance of mining corporations in South Africa is
adversely affected by the constantly increasing electricity costs. The most
commonly used power sources are the national utility supplier via a grid
connection, and on-site diesel generators. Previous research has identified
the renewable sources of solar photovoltaic (PV), onshore wind, and
geothermal energy in hybrid versions with current sources as possible
opportunities to counteract rising electricity costs. To provide a clear
understanding of the new, developing market of renewable energy
sources, this research is divided into two papers. This first paper
investigates the internal business structure of mining corporations in order
to evaluate electricity generating sources. The multi-criteria decision
analysis (MCDA) method is selected as the most suitable approach for this.
The paper identifies the criteria used by mining corporations to evaluate
possible electricity generation sources for self-generation by means of the
corporations’ own investment. Four mining corporations with several
mining locations were interviewed. The interviews revealed both new and
identical evaluation criteria when the findings were compared to earlier
MCDA adaptations analysed in the literature review. The second paper
(Part 2) combines current knowledge about the external macroeconomic
environment with the findings about the internal environment described
here. MCDA is adapted in Part 2 and implemented to analyse and compare
current to hybrid renewable sources from the perspective of mines.
Description
CITATION: Votteler, R. G. & Brent, A. C. 2017. A mining perspective on the potential of renewable electricity sources for operations in South Africa Part I—the research approach and internal evaluation process. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 117(3):285-297, doi:10.17159/2411-9717/2017/v117n3a10.
The original publication is available at http://www.saimm.co.za
The original publication is available at http://www.saimm.co.za
Keywords
Mining, Decision analysis, Renewable energy sources, Mining engineering
Citation
Votteler, R. G. & Brent, A. C. 2017. A mining perspective on the potential of renewable electricity sources for operations in South Africa Part I—the research approach and internal evaluation process. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 117(3):285-297, doi:10.17159/2411-9717/2017/v117n3a10