New technologies and regulations in the mining industry have significantly improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact in recent years. In general, mining techniques become much more environmentally sensitive when efficiency is improved because less waste is produced.
What is Green Mining?
Green mining follows the economic cycle of the principles of green industry, which coordinates the formation of mining and the environment, and it is a technology of exploitation which achieves the goal of low production, high efficiency, low emissions. The ambition is a fully circular economy, in which demand can be satisfied by reuse and recycling; however, we are not yet at that point, as some green energy production still requires some fossil fuels, for example for building generators.
Everyone agrees the world is going to need to seriously ramp up production of minerals like cobalt, graphite, lithium, and nickel to meet the growing demand for clean energy technologies. Canadian miners play a significant role in the production of minerals needed for other green industries, such as solar, wind, and geothermal power. In Canada, many exploration projects are advancing across the country to address that need.
What is the place of environmental risk in mining projects?
Mining and metal companies rank environment and social issues as their number one risk. With rising expectations from stakeholders and shareholders, as well as the current climate crises, mining companies need to focus on the environmental side of projects more than ever.
Companies are also under increasing pressure to take on more responsibility for their impact on the communities and may go beyond their regulatory obligations. Their goal is to help drive long-term, sustainable growth in the regions where they operate.
The place of sustainability in mining in practice
Traditionally, mining machines are diesel powered. The benefits with battery electrification are significant, including eliminating emissions in operations, reducing noise pollution, and lowering costs by lessening the need for ventilation and cooling.
A miner in Quebec, Canada, NMG (North America’s largest Natural Graphite operation) is committed to having its equipment and ore processing equipment fully electric in 5 years of production. At the same time, Glencore’s Ontario Canada Nickel operations has ordered a fleet of 23
Mining companies are under a magnifying glass. Consumers and investors are demanding sustainability at the mine site and along the entire supply chain. Additionally, engagement with communities and Indigenous peoples to share information and to collaborate on issues related to environmental effects, monitoring and cultural protection are also growing as priorities.