Anglo American, one of the world’s leading mining companies, today announced the acquisition of a stake of more than 20 per cent in Australian-based MBD Energy, which will soon commence trials of leading-edge carbon capture and conversion technology using algal synthesisers at three of Australia’s largest greenhouse gas emitting coal fired power plants.
Anglo American Metallurgical Coal CEO, Seamus French, today made the announcement to coincide with the opening of Australia’s first large scale Algal Research and Development Facility at James Cook University in Townsville.
“Anglo American’s stake makes it the cornerstone investor in the project, highlighting our commitment to reducing the company’s carbon emissions by supporting world-leading technologies,” Mr French said.
Mr French said the new technology involves growing algae in bio-sequestration farms that feed off emissions from a neighbouring power station.
“These conditions enable the CO2 to be consumed by the algae, which is then harvested to produce valuable by-products such as bio-diesel and animal feeds,” Mr French said.
“Using the naturally occurring process of synthesis to convert carbon into useful products has enormous potential for reducing emissions and enabling the continued use of coal as a sustainable energy source.
“The technology could also offer a potential solution for our customers, such as power plants and steel smelters that have a single point for discharging carbon,” Mr French said.
MBD Energy has reached preliminary agreements with three of Australia’s largest greenhouse gas emitting coal-fired power plants located in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland, with a carbon capture and recycling plant proposed for each location.
“As part of the investment, Anglo, MBD Energy and James Cook University are also exploring biological ways to reduce the methane contained within underground mine ventilation air,” Mr French said.
Mr French also expressed concern that the introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in its current form would hinder investments of this nature by forcing coal companies to purchase permits instead.
“Over the past five years Anglo American has invested more than $AU 100 million on emissions abatement technologies including two waste coal mine gas power stations that together reduce Anglo’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2.3 million tonnes annually,” Mr French said.
For further information:
Aldo Pennini
Tel: (07) 3834 1390 ; 0407 592 260
Jacqui Strambi
Tel: (07) 3834 1935 ; 0439 774 526
Notes to Editors:
Anglo American plc, one of the world’s largest mining groups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global leader in platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests in coal, base and ferrous metals, as well as an industrial minerals business. The Group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia.
www.angloamerican.com