SEASONAL SCHEDULING METHODOLOGY FOR REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS ON DEEP-LEVEL PLATINUM MINES

Abstract

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is a company policy focusing on environmental, social, and governance concerns. In recent years, more emphasis by corporations has been placed on implementing sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions into their operations. South Africa stands as one of the globe's most energy-intensive economies, surpassing the international average in energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP). This study focuses on mitigating carbon emissions within South African mines by implementing energy-saving measures. Notably, refrigeration systems on deep-level platinum mines have emerged as major energy consumers, prompting the need for enhanced operational efficiency. The study identifies an opportunity to refine the seasonal control of refrigeration systems in these mines. A tailored seasonal control strategy is developed to optimise the energy consumption of refrigeration systems amidst seasonal changes. This strategy dictates when to activate or deactivate refrigeration machines based on seasonal shifts. A rigorous methodology is devised, tested using simulation software, and validated through implementation at a deeplevel platinum mine with refrigeration systems. The successful implementation of the seasonal control strategy results in the delayed activation of the refrigeration system post-winter, leading to a notable energy saving of 0.6 GWh compared to the baseline year. The seasonal control strategy achieved energy savings while ensuring underground working temperatures are kept within the legal requirements. Despite the rise in electrical costs, the overall impact of the seasonal control strategy on the mine's electrical expenditure is marginal. Nevertheless, it curtails the mine's expenses by R1.19 million compared to what would have been paid without the strategy. While the financial impact is moderate, the strategy unequivocally achieves its primary objectives of reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in deep-level platinum mines. In conclusion, the implemented strategy effectively meets the overarching goals of the study.