Shaping the Future of Mining: Driving Decarbonization and Off-Grid Innovation

In remote mining environments, progress depends on solutions that work in real, often challenging conditions. This is where Pegah Khosravi Nia focuses her work, supporting efforts to reduce emissions and fuel use while maintaining reliable and efficient operations. As an Energy and Decarbonization Engineer, Pegah has spent the past two and a half years within the Sustainability team, based in Vancouver. She works closely with site operations, mine engineers, power teams, and external partners to support energy projects that move from design into real-world implementation in the field. Recently, Pegah presented at the CIM Connect conference at the Vancouver Convention Centre, sharing work from the Fekola Mine in Mali. The presentation highlighted a hybrid power system that combines solar energy and battery storage to support a fully off-grid mining operation, with a key milestone of achieving up to eight hours of engine-off operation during daytime conditions. “Renewable integration is possible in remote, off-grid mining environments,” shared Pegah. For her, the most meaningful part of the work is seeing ideas translate into real results. As she explained, “It is not enough to have a good idea on paper. The solution has to work in real site environments with operational constraints, reliability requirements, and cost considerations.” Her experience highlights the importance of collaboration and problem-solving in advancing decarbonization in mining. Her journey also reflects the evolving landscape for women in mining. While engineering and mining have traditionally been male-dominated fields, Pegah sees an industry increasingly open to different perspectives, experiences, and approaches. She encourages women entering the industry to trust their technical knowledge, remain curious, and contribute early rather than waiting until they feel completely ready. “Confidence and growth come over time,” she said. “A lot of that comes from learning, collaboration, and being willing to take opportunities as they come.” Pegah also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and support networks, recognizing the role colleagues and leaders play in creating environments where people can develop and thrive. As mining continues its transition toward a more sustainable future, stories like Pegah’s highlight the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation. By bringing technical expertise, collaboration, and fresh thinking to the table, women are helping shape the future of mining—and demonstrating that meaningful progress happens when more voices are part of the conversation.