Mining multinational Anglo American Plc (LON:AAL) said that it has procured 100% renewable energy to power all of its operations in Brazil, Chile and Peru, delivering on its commitment to source only green electricity in these countries.
The miner’s latest procurement comes via a 2021 power purchase agreement (PPA) with Engie Energia Peru, under which Anglo American secured a combination of wind and hydro for its Quellaveco copper operation in Peru.
Subscribe for Renewables Now's Corporate PPA Newsletter here for free!
In March 2021, Engie Energia Peru, part of French utility group Engie SA (EPA:ENGI) was granted a definitive concession to build and operate its first wind farm in the country, the 260-MW Punta Lomita. A month later, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA (BME:SGRE) was tapped to supply wind turbines for this project, which is due to go online in the first quarter of 2023.
The Quellaveco copper mine is scheduled to start production in 2022, Anglo American said.
Subscribe for Renewables Now's Corporate PPAs Newsletter here
In Chile in 2019, Anglo American signed a contract with Enel Generacion Chile SA (FRA:EPN) for the supply of renewable power to the miner’s copper operations in the country. This PPA started running from January 2021.
Anglo American’s 44%-owned Collahuasi copper mine has agreements in place with Enel Generacion and with independent solar power producer Sonnedix Power Holdings Ltd.
The Sonnedix solar plant tied to the PPA was inaugurated over a week ago.
Finally in Brazil, the mining company secured wind power under agreements with Casa dos Ventos and AES Tiete Energia SA (B3:TIET11), and solar power from Atlas Renewable Energy. These contracts will give the miner all the electricity its needs for iron and nickel operations in Brazil, Anglo American said.
“It is our duty to produce the metals and minerals that society needs as responsibly as current technologies allow, while continuing to stretch ourselves and our business partners to improve our performance even further,” said Anik Michaud, Director of Corporate Relations and Group Sustainable Impact at Anglo American.
“Our sourcing of only renewable energy to power our operations across South America marks another step towards our 2030 GHG reduction target of 30% that is embedded in our Sustainable Mining Plan and towards our commitment to be carbon neutral across our global operational footprint by 2040," Michaud added.
Wind park in Brazil. Author: Fotos GOVBA. License: Creative Commons, Attribution 2.0 Generic
