Fuel cells are to play an ever-greater role in South Africa's platinum mining industry as firms look to alternative forms of energy.

Marco Biffi, who is the principal engineer for ventilation and occupational environment at Anglo American subsidiary Anglo Operations, believes these will prove increasingly important in meeting small to medium power requirements.

"They are ideal for the provision of standby power, and can easily be used underground as backup power for communication systems, without the problems associated with conventional emergency power sources," he told Mining Weekly.

Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) plans to test a fuel cell-powered mine locomotive at its Dishaba operation in March or April of this year.

Mr Biffi also said larger alternative energy projects that reduce platinum miners' reliance on traditional electricity providers will be needed in future.

Unreliable supplies and higher costs mean platinum mining companies should look to on-demand mine cooling strategies to ensure production projects are not delayed, he told the publication.

"Projects that have not requested an electricity supply allocation from power utility Eskom will struggle with energy supply in the next two years," he explained.

Solar power is one option platinum miners may consider to reduce reliance on the state utility provider.

Sources:

Evolving platinum projects to focus on energy efficiency (03/02/12)

Amplats to test fuel-cell powered mine loco March/April (16/01/12)

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