At the Wetar Copper Mine, energy and fuel consumption more than doubled, in line with production activities that also nearly quadrupled. Energy consumption at the Wetar Copper Mine is only based on a Scope 1 energy calculation because all of the energy consumed is self-generated.
Wetar Copper Mine’s energy consumption is divided into electrical energy which is mostly consumed by the processing plant and diesel fuel energy for mining activities. At the processing plant, the energy intensity is 3,304 kWh/tonne copper; down 41.4% compared to 5,647 kWh/ton copper in 2020. This decrease is a combination of the high energy efficiency and copper content of the Partolang Pit. For mining operations, energy intensity decreased by 40.0%, or 1.27 kL/ton copper, compared to 2.11 kL/ton copper in 2020. The total energy consumed during 2021 by the Wetar Copper Mine was 1,096 terajoules (TJ) resulting in an intensity of energy of 57.6 GJ/ton copper. This value is 40.3% lower than the 2020 energy intensity of 96.4 GJ/ton of copper.
One of the energy efficiency initiatives during 2021 is the replacement of generators that are more fuel-efficient, which has succeeded in reducing diesel consumption by up to 10%. The Wetar Copper Mine also implements an electricity-saving campaign to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. In addition, the Wetar Copper Mine also installed 600 solar modules, part of a pilot project to replace dependence on fossil fuel power plants. Further studies to develop the installation of solar panels on Pulau Wetar are underway.
The Wetar Copper Mine also contributes to the supply of electricity in Lurang and Uhak villages. Throughout 2021, 236 households in Lurang Village and 98 households in Uhak will receive electricity. The total cost of fuel for electricity needs in the two villages is US$155,898.
