Greenland Resources announced that it received a positive renewable energy report from COWI A/S, on wind and solar power generation to further decarbonize the Malmbjerg Molybdenum Project. Utilization of renewable energy at the Project will also help the country with jobs and critical infrastructure and is aligned with the recently signed agreement between Greenland and the European Union (“EU”) on developing strategic sustainable raw materials projects and deploying infrastructure required to develop them.
Currently, approximately 50% of the total power consumption and decarbonization in the Project is solved with the use of the aerial rope conveyor. The conveyor transports 35,000 tonnes of ore per day from the mine site to the processing facilities using gravity that requires no energy input and therefore generates no carbon emissions and generates electricity from braking. The COWI Report concludes that a mix of onshore wind and solar energy production near the mine site can decarbonize some 35% of total power consumption giving an approximately 33MW of peak power, similar to the existing wind farm operating in comparable arctic conditions and latitude on Havøygavlen island in the north of Norway. The remaining 15% of the total power consumption has the potential to be decarbonized with carbon capture technologies or alternative green fuel. The Report also estimates economics and investigates the owned and leased model.
President and Group CEO, COWI, Jens Højgaard Christoffersen stated: “At COWI we are proud to contribute to the Malmbjerg Molybdenum Project’s vision of sustainability. Our commitment to excellence, coupled with Greenland Resources’ ambitious goals, paves the way for innovative use of renewable energy in challenging Arctic conditions. Together, we’re aiming at setting a precedent for eco-conscious industrial development that honours the nature and prioritizes the well-being of the people of Greenland.”
Executive Chairman Dr. Ruben Shiffman noted, “We are setting strict sustainability goals and have a clear path to become one of the lowest carbon footprint molybdenum mines worldwide, where COWI will play an important role. Over 3,100 wind turbines were manufactured last year in Denmark, each of them containing over 100 kg of molybdenum per MW installed capacity, which makes Denmark one of the largest per capita users of molybdenum worldwide. This combined with the interest we received from Danish molybdenum end users and mining equipment providers increases the Danish content in our Project. Overall, our Project has the potential to supply 25% of total molybdenum demand in and for the EU. The EU is the second largest molybdenum user worldwide and has no molybdenum production.”
Source: business wire
