As mines move toward electrification, the need for practical training and technical knowledge has grown quickly – and AusIMM is stepping up.
Mining companies across Australia are exploring battery-powered fleets, renewable energy systems and electrified infrastructure as part of their decarbonisation strategies.
Mines can now reduce diesel use through tethered underground loaders, electric drills, cable-electric shovels and even diesel-electric hybrid trucks that can cut fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and battery energy storage systems are being integrated to replace fossil fuel power generation, while modern fleet management systems and artificial intelligence (AI) optimise operations and minimise diesel use.
The economic case is also becoming clearer. Lithium-ion battery prices have fallen significantly over the past decade, reducing capital hurdles, while electric motors offer higher efficiency, faster operation on ramps, lower maintenance costs and quieter, cleaner workplaces.
Underground, electrification can slash ventilation and cooling costs, creating safer, more sustainable work environments.
While these advances are undoubtedly promising, challenges remain. Infrastructure investment, energy storage and process changes are essential, and workforce capability must be developed in parallel.
Upskilling staff members, embedding change-management strategies and fostering a culture open to innovation are critical for successful implementation.
As decarbonisation shifts from a corporate goal to an operational priority, mine electrification has become one of the biggest changes shaping the Australian mining landscape.
For all the discussion around battery-electric vehicles and net-zero targets, the real challenge lies in turning pilots into fully operational electric fleets without compromising safety, productivity or profitability.
To help the industry take that next step, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) has launched the Mine Electrification Associate Certificate, an online course designed to give mining professionals the knowledge to turn ambition into practical, on-site results.
The program was developed in partnership with Canadian consultancy Zero Nexus, whose president David Lyon brings years of experience helping mines around the world adopt battery-powered fleets.
“There’s been a lot of innovation on the equipment side, but not enough support for the mine operators trying to adopt these technologies,” Lyon said. “This course is designed to fix that.”
AusIMM head of online education Alana Horden told Australian Mining that electrification has emerged as one of the most pressing skill gaps in mining.
“This course came from a clear signal from the industry,” Horden said. “Electrification is no longer a future concept; it’s something mining professionals need to understand and apply right now.”
Mining has always relied on engineering ingenuity, but electrification demands a broader mix of skills that span charging infrastructure, ventilation design and energy management.
The four-module program takes participants through every stage of that journey. It starts with the fundamentals of how battery-electric vehicles work, their performance characteristics and their impact on mine design, before diving into infrastructure planning, battery safety and organisational transformation. The course is designed for anyone involved in mining operations, from supervisors and safety officers to compliance specialists and strategic planners.
“You don’t need to be an electrical engineer to take part,” Lyon said. “We’ve built this course to be accessible to a wide range of professionals.
“Whether you’re new to electrification or already trialling electric equipment, you’ll find practical value in what we’ve built.”
Delivered entirely online, the program includes around 20 hours of content across virtual classes, study materials and discussions.
Participants who complete the course earn professional development hours and a digital credential recognised across the mining industry.
AusIMM designs new courses to reflect where the industry is heading, and Horden said the response to the electrification course has already been strong.
“Every year we launch new programs that help professionals build the skills they’ll need for the future. Mine electrification is clearly one of those areas,” he said.
“We already have strong interest and multiple intakes planned annually.”
While technology plays a huge part in the transition, Horden and Lyon agree the human side of change is just as important.
“Underestimating the change-management effort is one of the most common mistakes we see,” Lyon said. “Getting your workforce on board early and often is critical.
“Electrification isn’t just a technology shift; it’s a cultural one.”
Zero Nexus’ experience in Canada, where mines have been running electric fleets for more than a decade, forms the backbone of the Mine Electrification Associate Certificate program. Participants explore real-world case studies that highlight what works, what doesn’t, and how to scale up electrification safely and efficiently.
“We draw on lessons learned from mines that have already gone through it. Someone’s already done that early learning for you,” Lyon said. “We’re bringing that directly into the course so participants can skip the trial-and-error stage and move faster.”
The course also explores topics such as battery lifecycle management, charging infrastructure, and integrating renewable power systems into mine operations.
Lyon said the AusIMM course’s whole-of-system approach what sets it apart.
“Most existing training focuses on operating specific machines,” he said. “Our course looks at the full system, the vehicles, the infrastructure, the safety standards and the people who make it work.”
As electrification accelerates across the sector, there is a growing demand for professionals who can navigate these new complexities. The Mine Electrification Associate Certificate helps participants develop the technical and strategic understanding needed to lead that transition.
“This course equips professionals to be part of the future, not just reacting to it,” Lyon said. “It’s about helping people build the skills and strategies to make meaningful change.”
For AusIMM, the course reinforces its broader mission to prepare the mining workforce for what’s next.
“We want to make sure the industry has the right mix of knowledge and capability to keep pace with change,” Horden said. “That’s what this course is all about.”
Electrification is a chance to reshape the way mining operates, to create quieter, cleaner and safer workplaces while improving efficiency and sustainability. AusIMM’s Mine Electrification Associate Certificate offers the tools and insight to make that future possible, giving mining professionals the confidence to lead the change from concept to reality.
This feature appeared in the December issue of Australian Mining magazine.