ENERMIN 2010 - Primer Taller Internacional de Gestión de la Energía en la Industria Minera

Sustainable and efficient use of energy in mining: striving towards safer and cheaper energy

Within a context of increasing demand and high cost, energy has transformed into a strategic resource that requires the attention and concern of the mining sector. For two days, 160 professionals and specialists from 11 countries gathered at the First International Workshop on Energy Management in the Mining Industry – ENERMIN 2010 to analyse the main aspects related to reliable, sustainable and low-cost energy supply and the efficient use of energy in mining and metallurgical processes.

In the past years, various mining companies have focused their efforts on the efficient use of energy in all extraction processes, as well as in the processing and transformation of mineral resources. However, these efforts have been counteracted in part by the continuing decline of the mean grade of extracted

and processed ore and by the progressive aging of the major mines. This translates into a greater production of sterile materials and longer transporting distances, which consequently increase energy consumption.

To achieve substantial savings and develop a more sustainable mining industry, it is necessary to place efficient energy use within a more global context by integrating the different stages and searching for real innovations in the chain of processes. These topics were addressed by both ENERMIN 2010 Chairman Mr. Andrés Alonso, current Manager of Energy Resources at Codelco, Chile, and by Dr. Ben Adair, ENERMIN 2010 Co-Chairman and Director of the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) of the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland, Australia, co-organising institution of the workshop in collaboration with Gecamin.

A MESSAGE OF THANKS FROM THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE

The ENERMIN 2010 Organising Committee would like to express our deepest appreciation to all those involved in the First International Workshop on Energy Management in the Mining Industry. We would particularly like to thank the following, without whom this event would not have been possible:

• The authors for their invaluable contribution to an excellent technical programme, the true foundation of the event

• The sponsors for their generous support

• The media partners for their collaboration in informing the public of this important event

• The Advisory Committee for their advice and expertise during the planning stages

• The Gecamin team for their continuous hard work and commitment to the success of the event.

In closing, we would like to extend special thanks to all of the delegates for their participation in the workshop. Your enthusiasm and interest made the first version of this workshop a truly dynamic event, and we hope that your commitment to efficient energy management and sustainability will encourage your participation in the next ENERMIN workshop.

With gratitude,

The ENERMIN 2010 Organising Committee