Mines like datacenters can be in remote low land value areas that have a lot of room for solar, which without grid connections is even cheaper than grid connected energy, and cheaper power than transporting fuel. Surrounding land, certainly not usable for civilization. Most uranium mines in the world have a proper exclusion zone that allows more solar energy than the energy value of the uranium inside the mine.
After mine’s life, power availability means a cleaned up side does have civilization/land value. It also makes it attractive for eventual grid connection to rest of continent, or just “microgrid” short transmission to touristier locations. Solar development of a mining area not only offers cheapest mining operations, it creates future land value appreciation, and power supply revenues. Both significantly improving economics of a mining project.
On mining debt, china has opened fully electric mines. Mining is not an inherently oil/diesel using activity.
Obviously japan is not forced to rely on coal, too.
bUt WhErE dOeS tHe ElEcTrIcItY fOr ThOsE fUlLy ElEcTrIc MiNeS cOmE fRoM?
Mines like datacenters can be in remote low land value areas that have a lot of room for solar, which without grid connections is even cheaper than grid connected energy, and cheaper power than transporting fuel. Surrounding land, certainly not usable for civilization. Most uranium mines in the world have a proper exclusion zone that allows more solar energy than the energy value of the uranium inside the mine.
After mine’s life, power availability means a cleaned up side does have civilization/land value. It also makes it attractive for eventual grid connection to rest of continent, or just “microgrid” short transmission to touristier locations. Solar development of a mining area not only offers cheapest mining operations, it creates future land value appreciation, and power supply revenues. Both significantly improving economics of a mining project.
Lol