The Power of Hydrogen

Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and Anglo American is committed to playing its part to address the root causes. The global response to climate change, specifically the decarbonisation of energy, transport, and the broader industry, is driving a major transition – with hydrogen playing a critical role.

Hydrogen, the lightest and most abundant element, is a versatile, zero-emission energy carrier with a high energy density. It can also be stored in large quantities and for long periods. The Hydrogen Council estimates that hydrogen could represent 18% of global energy demand by 2050.

We believe that we have a critical role in responsibly combating climate change by reducing our carbon footprint. One of the chosen pathways for reaching that goal is to adopt hydrogen as an energy source over less sustainable and more polluting options. Hydrogen has a significant and wide-ranging systemic role in achieving a low carbon future, including its use in transportation, heat, power, industrial processes, and as an energy carrier that will enable the development of renewables-based power generation systems.

The PGMs we mine play a role in producing ‘green’ hydrogen through electrolysis and play a critical role in the emerging hydrogen economy – in both hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and the production of green hydrogen via electrolysis.

Energising the hydrogen economy

Anglo American has long believed in the potential of the “hydrogen economy” globally as a means to decarbonise energy and transport systems. The company is already collaborating with the South African government and various partners to develop the “Hydrogen Valley.”

In South Africa, we are working with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Bambili Energy and ENGIE to transform the Bushveld complex and larger region around Johannesburg, Mogalakwena and Durban into a Hydrogen Valley. The Hydrogen Valley will stretch approximately 835 kilometres from Anglo American’s Mogalakwena PGMs mine near Mokopane in Limpopo province in the north of South Africa. The Hydrogen Valley will be leveraged to kickstart the hydrogen economy, leading to cost savings through shared infrastructure investments, improving the cost competitiveness of hydrogen production through economies of scale and enabling a rapid ramp-up of hydrogen production in South Africa.

Embracing, empowering, and growing the hydrogen economy will revolutionise Anglo American’s operations and all mining and related industries and ultimately shape a better, cleaner world.

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