Danfoss Champions Decarbonisation at Electra Mining Africa 2024

Johannesburg, South Africa – Danfoss, the renowned Danish industrial group, is set to showcase its commitment to decarbonisation at the Electra Mining Africa 2024, one of the continent’s leading mining and industrial exhibitions. The event, scheduled from September 2 to 6 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will feature Danfoss’s latest innovations and sustainable solutions aimed at supporting the African mining industry’s journey towards net-zero emissions.

Craig Rapson, Global Business Development Director for Mining, Minerals, and Cement at Danfoss South Africa, highlighted the industry’s current challenge: balancing the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2025 with the need to increase production to meet rising demand. “The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that mineral requirements for clean energy technologies must quadruple by 2040 to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius,” Rapson explained.

Mining and minerals processing are highly energy-intensive, and with production expected to rise, energy demand will also increase, counteracting decarbonisation efforts. Rapson emphasized the need for significant investments in alternative energy sources like solar PV, wind, electrolysers, and energy storage systems. However, he noted that these alternatives alone won’t make mining processes more energy-efficient.

Despite the challenges, Rapson pointed out that immediate steps can be taken with minimal investment to enhance productivity sustainably. Improvements in system reliability, proactive maintenance programs, intelligent performance monitoring of critical assets, and system-level optimisation can significantly boost performance and efficiency.

Variable speed drives (VSDs) play a crucial role in reducing global energy consumption, particularly since electric motors account for 50 to 75 percent of global electrical energy consumption. “VSDs are not new, but recent technological advancements have made them more efficient, compact, and intelligent,” Rapson said. He stressed that while VSDs are not a panacea for CO2 challenges, their optimal application in mining can yield substantial benefits.

Rapson’s presentation at Electra Mining Africa 2024, titled ‘Minimising Investment to Support the Long-Term Drive to Net Zero,’ focused on the pivotal role of VSDs and other innovations in reducing energy consumption and emissions in the mining sector.

Sikantha Naidoo, Senior Country Sales Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Danfoss, reiterated the company’s dedication to improving operational efficiencies, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring the longevity and reliability of mining equipment. “As a technology partner, we are committed to helping our customers decarbonise through energy efficiency, machine productivity, and lower emissions,” Naidoo stated.