Mining operations are energy intensive. The energy Paladin uses for its operations is principally derived from fuel-fired electricity sources. The fuel used by vehicles at both sites is predominantly diesel, with some vehicles using petrol. In addition, emulsion is used as the explosive for blasting at both sites.
Electricity at LHM is purchased from the Namibian power grid and, if necessary, supplemented with power generated at the on-site diesel-fuelled power plant. At LHM 69,368,266 kWh of electricity was purchased during the reporting period, which was slightly more than the 66,701,443 kWh purchased during the previous reporting period. Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is also used at LHM to heat the boilers. The total energy usage from indirect and direct sources (heating, vehicle fuel, power generation) at LHM is calculated as approximately 1,385 TJ which equates to 0.35 GJ per tonne of ore processed which was a slight decrease from 0.37 GJ per tonne last reporting period.
At KM, energy is generated using a diesel-fuelled power plant. The total energy consumption (vehicle fuel, power generation) at KM for the reporting period was estimated at 70 TJ for the water treatment plant and care and maintenance requirements.
Energy consumption and the volume of the fuels used at each site are shown in Tables 8 and 9, respectively.
Table 8. Energy Consumption (TJ)
|
Energy Consumption (TJ)
|
LHM
|
KM
|
|
2015/2016
|
2014/2015
|
2015/2016
|
2014/2015
|
|
Total Direct Energy Consumption[15]
|
Renewable
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Non-renewable
|
1,135
|
1,006
|
70
|
88
|
|
Total Indirect Energy Consumption[16]
|
Renewable /
Non-renewable
|
250
|
240
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Total Energy Consumption
|
1,385
|
1,246
|
70
|
88
|
Table 9: Fuel Usage (L)
|
Fuel Usage (L)
|
LHM
|
KM
|
|
2015/2016
|
2014/2015
|
2015/2016
|
2014/2015
|
|
Diesel - Power Generation (L)
|
15,579
|
7,488
|
1,680,281
|
2,074,509
|
|
Diesel - Heat Generation (L)
|
157,184
|
49,264
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| Diesel - Borefield Generator (L) |
155,954
|
98,762
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Automotive Diesel (L)
|
13,249,695
|
11,666,364
|
230,530
|
336,327
|
|
Automotive Petrol (L)
|
21,283
|
17,432
|
0
|
0
|
|
Heavy Fuel Oil (L)
|
16,812,802
|
15,101,193
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Emulsion (blasting) (t)
|
8,070
|
6,476
|
0
|
0
|
[15] The conversion factor used for each US gallon consumed is 0.138GJ for diesel, 0.144GJ for HFO, and 0.125 for petrol. Sourced from https://www.globalreporting.org/resourcelibrary/G3.1-Environment-Indicator-Protocols.pdf.
[16] Purchased from the Namibian electricity grid which currently does not provide a breakdown of renewable compared to non-renewable energy. A conversion factor of 0.0036GJ per kWh has been applied.
