University Researchers Advance Renewable Powered Mining

Amy McBrayer Ph.D.is researching next-generation renewable energy strategy at a Wyoming coal mine during her doctoral studies at South Dakota Mines.

Her work focuses on building mathematical models to help surface mining companies strategize and plan mining operations around renewable power availability, using energy generated from renewable power sources to run the mine during peak energy production times and slowing down mine production when less renewable power is available.

McBrayer said many mining companies have plans to reduce carbon emissions at their operations in the coming years, and this challenge is compounded by the accelerating demand for raw materials in the global
economy.

“If we’re not constantly working to improve efficiencies, we won’t meet this increasing demand while continuing to reduce carbon intensity and energy use at these operations,” she added.

McBrayer has just completed her doctorate under Andrea Brickey, Ph.D., a professor of mining engineering and management at South Dakota Mines. Both McBrayer and Brickey point out that mining is necessary for the
materials needed in everyday life, from the critical minerals that enable your smartphone to the high carbon steel in a surgeon’s scalpel.

For more information: https://www.sdsmt.edu/News/Renewable-Powered-Mining/