Net Zero Goldfields by 2035 

Chief investigator

Rahman Daiyan (UNSW) 

Purpose of project

Fossil fuels have long underpinned mining operations – particularly in remote and off-grid regions – due to their dispatchability and ability to provide energy autonomy, despite their significant carbon emissions. Transitioning to a net-zero energy future will require a shift toward renewable energy systems that can meet the same reliability and operational demands. 

While Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can support the integration of renewables, their broader deployment is constrained by high costs at scale, limited long-duration storage capability, and performance degradation over time. These challenges highlight the need for alternative or complementary solutions that can deliver reliable, low-emissions power in off-grid environments. 

This project aims to identify and shortlist viable renewable energy solutions, and nominate a bankable technology proponent capable of delivering a dependable, carbon-neutral energy supply for off-grid mining operations, with a focus on Western Australia’s Goldfields region.

Impact of project

Decarbonising energy supply in remote mining operations remains a critical challenge. Alternative fuel options such as methanol, ammonia, biomethane, and renewable diesel face significant technical and commercial barriers to deployment in off-grid regions. 

Many of these technologies are still in early stages of adoption, with challenges including high costs, limited infrastructure, immature supply chains, and uncertain commercial bankability. Additional constraints including limited water availability for electrolysis, distance from major infrastructure, harsh environmental conditions, and restricted access to sustainable feedstocks, further complicate implementation in regions like Western Australia’s Goldfields. 

This project addresses these challenges by identifying and validating a renewable energy solution capable of operating reliably under these conditions. It will support integration with existing power systems and enable a transition toward low-emissions energy supply for mining operations by 2030. 

To achieve this, the project will deliver a practical, evidence-based roadmap for integrating renewable energy technologies into industrial applications, including: 

• Comprehensive resource mapping  
• Data-driven technology assessment  
• Rigorous technical and commercial due diligence  
• Pathways to commercial demonstration  

The frameworks, tools, and insights developed through this project will support the mining sector’s transition toward fully renewable energy systems, while providing a scalable and replicable model for other industries seeking to decarbonise in similarly challenging environments. 

Project partners