Nordgold to work with KPMG on methodology to measure Scope 1 & 2 emissions

Posted by Paul Moore on 22nd December 2020

Nordgold has awarded KPMG with a contract to update the company’s methodology for measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Nordgold’s new approach will encompass both direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 & Scope 2) in accordance with international ISO 14064-1-2018 and GHG Protocol standards. Previously, Nordgold reported its direct emissions (Scope 1) in accordance with the methodology adopted by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The company will publish its inaugural TCFD for 2020 using the new carbon intensity assessment. The assessment, expected to completed in early 2021, will also form a part Nordgold’s 2020 Sustainable Development Report.

Evgeny Tulubensky, Nordgold Chief Legal Officer and ESG Director said: “We are continually looking for ways to minimise our overall environmental impact and reducing emissions is a core pilar of this objective. This new methodology is the foundation that will enable us to develop strategic targets for reducing GHG emissions. It will facilitate the benchmarking of the carbon intensity of each mine and across every production process, helping us to identifying bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement. Once we have this data, we can more effectively manage greenhouse gas emissions and develop new measures to reduce our environmental impact.”

Nordgold’s says its sustainability objectives are incorporated into relevant operational improvement and development programmes. “Through these programmes, the company seeks opportunities to reduce GHG emissions, water consumption, and waste creation. Essential on site power generation, which provides both the energy to run operations and to ensure employees benefit from safe and comfortable accommodation and amenities, is a significant source of GHG emissions.” Nordgold is therefore implementing a programme to reduce the associated impact, with short to medium-term initiatives including:

  • A new efficient power plant at Lefa is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. This is expected to reduce fuel consumption for electricity generation by 15% and engine oil by 30%, resulting in a 17,000 t reduction of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
  • Implementation of a consistent three-year power plant improvement programme at the Gross mine, which is expected to decrease coal consumption by 8% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 57,700 t in 2021-2022.
  • Implementation of the OMNICOMM fuel and lubricant materials consumption monitoring and the Wenco mining equipment dispatching systems which is expected to reduce both fuel consumption and downtime.
  • Technical feasibility and design assessments for a proposed solar power plant at Bissa, which if economic, should reduce fuel consumption by approximately 6.4 million litres and greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 18,000 tonnes per year.