Editorial Comment

T. CAMPBELL, Managing Editor

Many sectors have the potential to decarbonize by utilizing hydrogen (H₂). Industries such as refining, heavy-duty transportation and electricity generation are often mentioned in connection with H₂ utilization; however, the mining sector also has the potential to decarbonize operations by using H₂. According to a report from Guidehouse Insights, deliveries of H₂-powered mining equipment are expected to increase from an estimated four units sold in 2024 to 401 units sold by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 66.9%. Revenues over the same period are expected to reach $1.4 B by 2033 at a CAGR of 80.7%, with more rapid growth in revenues driven by a shift from the retrofitting of existing haulage vehicles to the supply of dedicated H₂-powered equipment.¹ 

H₂ applications in the mining industry include fuel for heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., mining trucks, trains), electricity produced from H₂ to power production processes (e.g., heat generation) and raw materials for necessary mining products (e.g., explosives). Several companies are developing these applications, particularly using H₂ as fuel for mining trucks. For example, Anglo American partnered with ENGIE, Plug Power and Ballard Power Systems to develop a H₂-powered mining haul truck. 

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), from 2017−2022, the global energy sector’s demand for lithium, cobalt and nickel increased significantly—global lithium demand tripled, and cobalt and nickel demand increased 70% and 40%, respectively. In 2022, the share of clean energy applications in total demand reached 56% for lithium, 40% for cobalt and 16% for nickel, up from 30%, 17% and 6%, respectively, compared to the 5 yr prior.² This demand is forecast to drastically increase global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The mining of lithium, cobalt and nickel account for 8.85 t of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e)/t of metal content.² Each of these minerals will be utilized in the H₂ sector, with nickel being the most critical (FIG. 1).H₂T

LITERATURE CITED 

¹ Guidehouse, “Hydrogen-powered mining equipment market,” 2024, online: https://guidehouseinsights.com/reports/hydrogen-powered-mining-equipment-market 

² IEA, “Sustainable and responsible critical mineral supply chains,” December 2023, online: https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/7771525c-856f-45ef-911d-43137025aac3/SustainableandResponsibleCriticalMineralSupplyChains.pdf