Sun-drenched mines look to the skies to cut fuel costs

Hong Kong

THE DeGrussa copper and gold mine in Australia's sun-scorched outback is getting a solar farm, the latest example of the industry embracing clean energy.

The plant will replace about five million litres of diesel a year, a fifth of the mine's energy needs. Energy generated by the system may eventually cost about half that of diesel-generated power, according to Sandfire Resources NL, the deposit's owner.