According to a report by dss+ director Andrew Wilson and Australia-New Zealand head of mining and metals Wes Austerberry, the adoption of green hydrogen in mining can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing diesel fuel in haulage vehicles, which can be responsible for 30-80% of a mine's emissions footprint.
Other benefits include the removal of diesel particulates and the reduction of ventilation load requirements in underground mining.
While hydrogen and its hazardous properties are not new, hydrogen has not been used at scale in the mining industry, although there are some early movers.
Anglo American is planning to convert its diesel-powered haul trucks to green hydrogen-powered trucks, while Fortescue Metals Group wants to develop green hydrogen production facilities. It too is considering hydrogen-fuelled haul trucks, albeit alongside battery-electric ones.
BHP has also partnered with steel manufacturers to look at alternative hydrogen use in steelmaking.
Wilson said green hydrogen showed great promise in helping deliver an environmentally and economically sustainable future for mining companies, however, great reward also came with great risk.
"There are a number of examples from adjacent industries, including the chemical industry, that highlight the significant and often unforeseen challenges of an aggressive scale-up where new and exciting technologies are present," he said.
"The projected scale of hydrogen adoption is, as yet, unprecedented [and it] requires a holistic appreciation of risk factors, including the technicality of designing, building and commissioning hydrogen production facilities and converting an entire truck fleet."
Wilson said companies must also consider the maturity of players and their supply chains entering the hydrogen economy, as some might lack the necessary experience and qualifications.
"To reap the potential benefits and opportunities green hydrogen can present, businesses must develop a holistic appreciation of the risk factors, operational challenges and sustainability implications that can affect large-scale deployment," he said.
"A holistic business and operational transformation is paramount - one that encompasses the evolution of business and operating models, the realignment of core processes, the successful deployment of new technologies, the building the necessary organisational capabilities and ensuring the right mindsets and behaviours are in place to sustain the transformation."
