XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 113
a major cost driver. The efforts to improve energy efficiency
and reduce overall use has been addressed via an extensive
range of initiatives, across the entire mining chain, with
comminution being a key target area.
The evolving energy picture is complex with increasing
energy demand playing-out alongside the move to lower
emissions generation – see Figure 2. As a baseline there are
a set of agreed scenarios, which are the basis for the future
estimates i.e.:
• Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS)
• Announced Pledges Scenario (APS)
• Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE)
If the STEPS scenario prevails, then by 2050 approximately
78% of all electricity generation will be from low emissions
technology.
The implications for CO2e emissions in power gen-
eration, is that there will be significant decreases, with the
ultimate being a move the zero emissions under the NZE
scenario, but even under STEPS, the drop in emissions
from 2022 levels is estimated to be in the region of 45%.
Figure 3 shows graphics from the International Energy
Agency providing a view of CO2e emissions through to
2050.
There is obviously an overarching question regarding
these scenarios and forward estimates of the energy future,
i.e., will the targets be achieved?
The key questions for the mining sector and therefore
comminution are:
• What is the likely increase in energy required to meet
the global commodities requirement?
• What will the increase mean for CO2e emissions?
• What will be the cost of low emissions power?
• How will the availability of low emissions sources for
mining vary across the globe?
Source: Engeco 2023
Figure 1. Breakdown of total final energy consumption
Source: IEA 2023, Note: Other renewables include bioenergy and renewable waste, geothermal, concentrating
solar power and marine power
Figure 2. Global electricity demand (TWh – Terra Watt Hours), 2010–2050 and generation by scenario,
2022 and 2050
a major cost driver. The efforts to improve energy efficiency
and reduce overall use has been addressed via an extensive
range of initiatives, across the entire mining chain, with
comminution being a key target area.
The evolving energy picture is complex with increasing
energy demand playing-out alongside the move to lower
emissions generation – see Figure 2. As a baseline there are
a set of agreed scenarios, which are the basis for the future
estimates i.e.:
• Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS)
• Announced Pledges Scenario (APS)
• Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE)
If the STEPS scenario prevails, then by 2050 approximately
78% of all electricity generation will be from low emissions
technology.
The implications for CO2e emissions in power gen-
eration, is that there will be significant decreases, with the
ultimate being a move the zero emissions under the NZE
scenario, but even under STEPS, the drop in emissions
from 2022 levels is estimated to be in the region of 45%.
Figure 3 shows graphics from the International Energy
Agency providing a view of CO2e emissions through to
2050.
There is obviously an overarching question regarding
these scenarios and forward estimates of the energy future,
i.e., will the targets be achieved?
The key questions for the mining sector and therefore
comminution are:
• What is the likely increase in energy required to meet
the global commodities requirement?
• What will the increase mean for CO2e emissions?
• What will be the cost of low emissions power?
• How will the availability of low emissions sources for
mining vary across the globe?
Source: Engeco 2023
Figure 1. Breakdown of total final energy consumption
Source: IEA 2023, Note: Other renewables include bioenergy and renewable waste, geothermal, concentrating
solar power and marine power
Figure 2. Global electricity demand (TWh – Terra Watt Hours), 2010–2050 and generation by scenario,
2022 and 2050