Alsym Energy and ERITY have signed a 9 GWh Strategic Relationship Agreement (SRA) to jointly deploy battery energy storage systems (BESS) for the mining sector. Alsym develops sodium-ion batteries it says are non-flammable and low-cost, and ERITY is an integrated services organization that supports the mining, resources and energy sectors.
Alsym’s Na-Series sodium-ion batteries are slated for deployment in existing operations and new projects run by Volt Resources and Resource Minerals International in Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Finland and the US, as well as BESS projects for unaffiliated mining companies. ERITY operates on six continents and has major operations in Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
Mining operations are often far from any grid connection, and typically run on diesel generators. Alsym says the sector burns roughly 125 billion liters of diesel a year, accounting for 30 to 50% of a mine’s operating costs. BESS paired with renewables offers a more cost-effective alternative for remote sites.
The 9 GWh agreement covers several applications: round-the-clock micro-grid power for mining operations, including the ventilation systems that are a major cost in subsurface mines; power for critical mineral extraction and processing; onsite data centers that process geologic data in real time; electrified mining and hauling equipment; and mobile BESS that can be moved to wherever power is needed.
Alsym says its Na-Series cells can be safely stored and transported at 0% state of charge, which suits the mobile use case. The company also says its Na-Series chemistry eliminates thermal runaway and operates across a wide temperature range, avoiding the need for HVAC systems for safety or performance.
“This collaboration allows us to address the pressing energy challenges faced by the mining industry, where energy demands are significant and operations are often located in remote areas with limited access to traditional power infrastructure,” said Manny Claassens, COO (Energy) at ERITY. “By integrating Alsym Energy’s thermally stable, high-performance storage solutions into mining operations, we have an opportunity to help reduce operational costs, enhance energy resilience, and support improved safety and sustainability outcomes.”
Source: Alsym Energy
