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Future looks bright for green mining

2022-07-18
By Mohamed Zaki

As more and more governments are trying to comply with the Paris Agreements goals, it is expected to see incentives to reduce carbon emissions in the mining industry in EU countries, the UK and Canada. Mining companies aim to reduce their emissions by investing in renewable energy installations as well as the progressive usage of electric mining truck fleets. Steel and aluminum producers will focus on the efficiency of operations and on waste recovery to comply with said governments regulations. As for Oil and Gas Producers, they will go for methane leakage and the decrease of venting and flaring in the pursuit of the reduction of carbon emissions[i]

However, with the Coronavirus epidemic, impacting the economy of many countries, governments might strive to achieve economic recovery pre-COVID-19. This could be materialized by more investments in infrastructures and a preference for economic growth over climate change contingency plans1. 

  

In Canada, with the green Mining Initiative, mining companies, research centers, provincial governments and natural resources Canada are working around 4 Innovation pillars to make mining more efficient, safer, and more sustainable. As Mining is a huge part of our daily lives, it is important for the Industry to come together and work on ways to improve mining activities for future generations. The 1st Pillar is about Footprint Reduction. In Alberta for example, researchers are looking for non – aqueous alternatives to extract oil sands and avoid wet tailings. In Val d’Or, researchers are working on non-explosive extraction methods. The 2nd pillar is about mitigating the negative impacts of mineral processing. Rehabilitating mine sites to profit from them constitutes the goal of the 3rd pillar. Last, the 4th pillar focuses on studies about the impacts of mining on the fauna and flora[ii].  

In addition, the Mining Association of Canada sets a worldrecognized sustainability standard, the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative in 2004. Companies adhering to this initiative, pledge to responsible mining and their performance is measured by multiple indicators and tools. De Facto, all members are obligated to adhere to this Initiative and the program has been adopted by other countries like Finland, Argentina, Botswana, the Philippines, and Spain[iii]

Canada is leading by example and paving the way for a more sustainable mining industry. Past progress in the sector shows hope that despite COVID-19, sustainability is nowadays a goal of mining companies, governments, and academia.  

[i] MINING.com Editor. (January 27, 2021). Five green energy trends topping miners’ agendas in 2021 – report. MINING.com. 

[ii] Natural Resources Canada. (2018). Green Mining Innovation Video [Online Video]. Government of Canada. https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/minerals-mining/mining-resources/green-mining-innovation-video/8260 

[iii] Trade Commissionner Service. (January 18, 2021). Canada sets a world standard for sustainable mining. Government of Canada. 

https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/canadexport/0003604.aspx?lang=eng

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