The EMC aims to bring together mining companies, research and education institutions, start-ups, business incubators, and government and non-governmental organisations, forming a platform to investigate renewable energy and demand management-related activities.

OZ Minerals said this is being done "with a view to developing and identifying opportunities for an international showcase that optimises electrical and fuel demand and the integration of renewable energy systems".

It wants to create "true partnerships" to test energy and technology hypotheses. Over the next six months, the founding collaborators will formalise these partnerships.

The first EMC project is a trial installation of a 250kW hybrid energy solution facility, including solar, wind and battery storage, connected to existing diesel generators at a test site at the Carrapateena operation in the first half of 2020. A Smart Grid controller will allow access to data of the trial system and offer tracking capabilities.

OZ Minerals' Carrapateena copper-gold project in South Australia is on track for first concentrate production in the December quarter of 2019, after which the project will ramp up to full production over the following 18 months.