Bellevue Gold hits net zero at its WA mine, setting a new benchmark for clean-energy mining

Bellevue Gold has crossed a milestone many thought years away: net zero at its Western Australian mine in the first half of 2025.

Powered by wind, solar and battery storage, the operation shows a remote, round-the-clock mine can run clean for long stretches and still deliver. It lifts the bar for gold producers and positions Australian mining as a leader in the energy transition.

At the heart of the achievement is one of the country’s most ambitious off-grid power systems. A 90 megawatt hybrid station that combines 24 MW of wind, 27 MW of solar, 24 MW of thermal generation and a 15 MW, 29 MWh battery.

With the wind farm commissioned, the site recorded 58 consecutive hours on 100 percent renewable power in June and now targets 80 to 90 percent renewable penetration over a typical year, subject to weather and mine demand. For a 24 hour underground mine, those figures turn heads.

How the mine runs on wind, sun and storage

The system works because each part does a different job. Solar supplies strong daytime output, wind complements evenings and shoulder periods, and the battery smooths variability and carries short peaks in demand.

That combination allows engines to switch off for extended periods while maintaining stable power for the processing plant and underground operations. Bellevue’s data shows the renewable share rising as the wind component beds in, which is what enabled the 58 hour engine-off run in June. This means the mine can now operate for long stretches without fossil fuelled generation and is aiming for up to 90 percent renewables on average.

It’s important to remember that net zero here has a defined boundary. It applies to the emissions Bellevue directly produces on site and the electricity it uses. Bellevue says reductions come first through the renewable power station and other efficiency measures. The residual is matched with Large-scale Generation Certificates and Australian Carbon Credit Units, with a stated preference for high quality credits including savanna fire management projects. Bellevue has also committed to reasonable assurance of its 2025 carbon accounts by external auditors, which gives customers and investors confidence in the method.

Image Credit: Zenith Energy

From clean power to traceable “green gold”

Energy is only part of the story. Bellevue is working with ABC Refinery and Single Mine Origin to supply mine-specific, traceable gold to buyers who value provenance and production footprint.

Jewellery accounts for about 40 percent of global gold demand, so a credible pathway to verified low-emissions metal matters commercially. This alignment between a high-renewables mine and partners focused on traceability is where a green premium may emerge as markets mature.

For a sector that typically sells an undifferentiated commodity, this is an incredible opportunity to create a product that stands apart on origin and carbon profile.

Image Credit: Zenith Energy

Why this matters for Australian mining

Bellevue’s milestone is an encouraging signal for miners planning new projects or upgrades.

A decade ago, conventional wisdom held that remote operations could only trim a little diesel use with renewables. Today there is a working reference that shows how to design for high renewable shares and keep power quality steady with storage and controls. For project teams, power providers and equipment makers, the template is getting clearer.

There are practical dividends as well. Generating most power on site from wind and solar reduces exposure to fuel price swings and long logistics chains. As renewable penetration rises and equipment fleets evolve, reliance on offsets should fall, which strengthens the claim over time.

For the Gold Industry Group, this is a proud member moment. It shows Australian capability in hybrid power and in value chain partnerships that connect low-emissions production to downstream demand.

It also gives students and job-seekers a clear picture of where modern mining is heading. If you care about clean energy, systems engineering and technology that works in the real world, the gold sector is becoming an exciting place to build a career.

Bottom line: Bellevue has demonstrated that a large, off-grid gold mine can reach net zero for a defined period and run for long windows on renewables alone. It is a huge technical achievement, a strong market signal and, a powerful example of Australian gold leadership in the energy transition