Capital expenditure of mining companies is increasingly being aimed at renewable energy projects and associated grid development – a trend that is likely to continue throughout this year, financial risk management, solutions and insights company Fitch Solutions commodities analyst Amelia Haines says. She notes that the use of renewable energy to accommodate current and future energy needs will be the key strategy being used by miners to reduce costs this year, as it can reduce costs in the long term, while also having the benefit of reducing threats to energy security.