{"id":11885,"date":"2026-08-05T14:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T12:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/?p=11885"},"modified":"2026-09-09T14:08:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T12:08:40","slug":"slr-consulting-highlights-energy-as-a-strategic-growth-driver-for-mining","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/slr-consulting-highlights-energy-as-a-strategic-growth-driver-for-mining\/","title":{"rendered":"SLR CONSULTING HIGHLIGHTS ENERGY AS A STRATEGIC GROWTH DRIVER FOR MINING"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Energy is fast becoming one of the most influential strategic considerations in modern mining, moving well beyond its traditional role as a utility service to become a key factor in project viability, cost competitiveness and long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"By<\/a>
By combining technical expertise with climate risk insight, SLR Consulting supports mining companies in building resilient and future-focused operations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

According to SLR Consulting, the shift is being driven by rising energy costs, pressure to decarbonise operations and the growing need for secure resilient power supply across mining jurisdictions in Africa and globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tasman Graham, Managing Director at SLR Consulting, says mining companies are increasingly recognising that energy decisions now sit at the heart of both operational performance and future growth strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"According<\/a>
According to SLR Consulting mining companies are rethinking energy strategies to strengthen resilience, improve sustainability and optimise long-term operating costs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cEnergy has become a significant business risk within the mining sector, with direct implications for both capital and operating costs,\u201d Graham says. \u201cAt the same time, it presents a major opportunity to unlock efficiencies, strengthen resilience and support sustainability objectives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He notes that the rapid improvement in renewable energy economics is reshaping how mines approach power supply, with solar and onshore wind, supported by battery storage, now frequently emerging as the most cost-effective solution.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"SLR<\/a>
SLR Consulting provides integrated advisory services spanning energy, environmental, engineering and sustainability solutions for mining projects.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cIn many applications, hybrid energy systems are now the lowest cost option even before climate considerations are taken into account,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This trend is particularly relevant in Africa, where many mining operations face grid instability, escalating tariffs and long lead times for new transmission infrastructure. As a result, behind-the-meter energy solutions are gaining momentum, with mines investing in combinations of solar photovoltaic systems, wind generation, battery storage and diesel or gas backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These systems not only reduce dependence on diesel but also enhance energy security and deliver attractive payback periods.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Hybrid<\/a>
Hybrid energy solutions are enabling mines to reduce reliance on diesel generation while improving energy security and operational efficiency.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Beyond operational gains, Graham highlights the wider developmental role that mining-led energy infrastructure can play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPower solutions developed for mining projects can also support surrounding communities and local economic activity, strengthening the mine\u2019s social licence to operate while contributing to regional development,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to SLR Consulting, successful energy strategies require an integrated approach that considers engineering, environmental, social, regulatory and commercial factors from the earliest project stages.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Energy<\/a>
Energy is increasingly emerging as both a strategic business risk and a key growth enabler for mining operations worldwide.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The company supports mining clients across the full project lifecycle, combining expertise in energy advisory, environmental performance, water management and climate risk modelling to help deliver commercially sound and sustainable outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Graham believes the greatest opportunities lie in flexible, site-specific hybrid energy solutions that align with life-of-mine requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe future of mining energy lies in pragmatic, well-structured systems that balance cost, reliability and sustainability,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SLR Consulting highlights how energy has evolved into a strategic business priority for the mining sector, influencing project costs, operational resilience and long-term sustainability objectives. The company points to the growing adoption of hybrid behind-the-meter power solutions as mines across Africa seek to balance affordability, reliability and decarbonisation goals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":11891,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[191],"class_list":["post-11885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-client-focus","tag-slr-consulting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11885"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11892,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11885\/revisions\/11892"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11891"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}