For mines without on-site power generation the vast majority (approx. 95%) of scope 1 emissions arise from the use of diesel in trucks, excavators and other mining equipment.
As a result, there is a strong correlation for most surface mines between material moved (equivalent to ROM plus overburden) and consumption of diesel.
Our Solution
For mines where power needs are supplied by on-site power, with no power from the grid, then scope 1 emissions will account for all operational emissions.
ABC is targeting 25% renewables at its Mine by 2030 as part of its net reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions of 30% by 2030 (2016 baseline). With the implementation of solar, combined with an expected decline in overburden as the mine develops, then machine-related and power-plant related emissions per tonne of output would be expected to decline.
GlobalData has found that by using the volume of material moved, diesel consumption can be estimated, with a linear relationship.
In these instances scope 1 emission can be calculated by adding those from diesel, plus a small factor to cover other fuels and the emissions from on-site power.