Tag Archives: ESG

Antofagasta Minerals’ Centinela, Zaldívar operations receive ‘world first’ Copper Mark recertification

Base metals, Environmental, Mining industry recognition, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , ,

Two of Antofagasta’s operations, Centinela (pictured) and Zaldívar, have become the first mines in the world to receive the Copper Mark “recertification”, the copper miner says.

This expanded certification, which includes 33 criteria covering environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks, and defines due diligence requirements and responsible production, reaffirms the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable production, and alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, it says.

“This recertification demonstrates that we produce copper, a metal critical for the energy transition, in line with the highest sustainability standards,” Alejandra Vial, Vice President of Sustainability at Antofagasta. “In turn, it helps us fulfil our purpose of developing mining for a better future.”

The Copper Mark recertification involved close collaboration between each operating company and Antofagasta’s corporate team, to achieve compliance with each of the criteria in a documented manner, through policies, standards and records of the implementation of practices., it says.

Carlos Espinoza, General Manager at Centinela, said: “Centinela and Zaldivar are the first operations globally to recertify with the new criteria and this is an important milestone in our sustainability journey. This clearly shows that our processes comply with the highest environmental, social and governance standards.”

Leonardo González, Zaldívar General Manager, adds: “The team at Zaldívar are very proud to receive the Copper Mark, as it demonstrates the high standards of our processes while highlighting opportunities for improvement.”

Last September, independent reviewers authorised by the Copper Mark visited both operations, as well as the surrounding areas of impact to corroborate the company’s sustainable practices and management in the field. This was done through a combination of site visits and interviews with employees, contractors, executive management teams and members of local communities.

Currently, Antofagasta’s four mining operations hold the Copper Mark, which must be renewed every three years. Recertification using the new criteria of our Los Pelambres and Antucoya operations is scheduled to take place in 2025.

SRK Consulting on the learnings from the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management implementation

Environmental, Mining industry recognition, Mining services, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It has been just over four years since the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) was launched, and much is being learnt as mining companies and professional experts continue to maintain compliance, SRK Consulting experts are reporting.

The experts – Franciska Lake, Partner and Principal Environmental Scientist; Philippa Burmeister, Partner and Principal Environmental Scientist; James Lake, Partner and Principal Environmental Scientist; James Dutchman, Associate Partner and Principal Engineering Geologist; Kavandren Moodley, Principal Environmental Scientist; Andries Fourie, Principal Technologist in Disaster and Risk Management; Lindsay Shand, Partner and Principal Environmental Geologist; and Mondli Mazibuko, Senior Civil and Tailings Engineer – saw the GISTM has brought a more integrated approach to the design, construction, operation and closure planning of tailings storage facilities (TSFs). This has meant that an even wider range of disciplines now need to engage collaboratively in projects that relate to TSFs – from environmental, social and governance (ESG) specialists to practitioners in mine closure, climate change, hydrology, geochemistry, water stewardship and disaster management.

Integration

There was initially the need to raise awareness about the high level of integration required between the ESG aspects and the traditional, technical aspects of tailings management. The importance of trust and understanding between the mine and project-affected people also needed to be emphasised. Building cooperative relationships between mines and their stakeholders remains a continuous challenge but has been a crucial ingredient in meeting GISTM standards.

There also still potential misalignments between local regulatory requirements and the GISTM. In building the environmental knowledge base that the GISTM requires, additional information is often needed beyond what local regulations or historical legislative conditions may have demanded. In many cases, mines have focused solely on their project development areas, paying limited attention to the broader risks of a tailings breach. Closing these gaps requires collaboration between regulators, the mine and other stakeholders.

People at risk

Significant work and innovation have been dedicated in recent years to helping mines effectively comply with the GISTM. One of the key lessons learned from this process is the critical importance of ongoing engagement and relationship building with project-affected people throughout the lifecycle of a TSF. This approach fosters an environment where meaningful dialogue can take place around decisions that impact project-affected people, including the risks and potential consequences of a TSF failure.

SRK has observed that mines can significantly enhance their engagement and communication efforts when they have a well-established and effective stakeholder engagement plan in place. In contrast, strained communication with project-affected people makes it more difficult to deliver critical messages, often delaying the implementation of GISTM requirements. This in turn heightens the risk for people in the inundation zone, who are often the most vulnerable.

The basis for identifying which people are particularly at risk is determining the inundation zone, which the GISTM requires to be accurately modelled. This forms a key component of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP), which is also a GISTM requirement. Good communication channels need to be in place, she said, to allow not only for messaging from the mines on the risks associated with TSFs, but to clearly and effectively communicate during emergency situations.

Emergency capability

A further critical area of the GISTM relates to emergency preparedness and response, which requires mines to plan in detail for disaster scenarios arising from TSF failure. This process involves engaging other stakeholders in the required EPRP. One of the challenges that mines in countries like South Africa face is that capacity in the field of emergency response can be limited. The GISTM requires mines to consult with government and to obtain a commitment to be part of this planned response.

This means that mines must gauge the stakeholders’ capacity to contribute; given the lack of resources in certain areas, local mines have had to look elsewhere for partners in securing the necessary support in the case of an emergency. Instead, industry agencies like Mine Rescue Services South Africa have been able to provide that response capacity.

A further challenge is that in nations with high unemployment rates, mining operations often draw informal settlement of individuals seeking job opportunities. When the establishment of these settlements are not appropriately planned and managed, significant numbers of people establish homes and livelihoods near a TSF.

Monitoring and data

Another important challenge on many mine sites was the significant lack of meteorological monitoring. This meant that TSFs were being managed without sufficient accurate weather data, including the site-specific rainfall levels.

From a climate change perspective, one of the biggest gaps in meeting GISTM requirements is the monitoring of meteorological parameters. This is not just about having a functional weather station on site, but also about regularly analysing and acting on the weather data received. Water management is key to preventing TSF failures and this requires action associated with observed trends provided by meteorological monitoring.

The scientific instruments also need regular calibration if they are to remain reliable, and mines need to be actively engaging with the data stream. There is scope to use modelling in some contexts, but modelled meteorological datasets tend to have inherent limitations.

In the real world, however, there are situations where data levels are not optimal – and so SRK has developed an approach through which we can use modelled data in conjunction with the monitored data that is available. This can create datasets which are usable by some of the disciplines involved in TSF management and closure.

This lack of data also exacerbates the challenge of predicting future key weather conditions like rainfall, as projections tend to be a ‘best guess’. There is a need to improve the reliability of projections by comparing them regularly to current data collected from monitoring activities. Given this uncertainty, SRK collaborates with international peer reviewers and academics to improve confidence in forecasts.

Integration of data remains another central challenge, as the monitoring data really needs to be available to other disciplines. The GISTM requires climate change to be built into our TSF and water management designs, and for these designs to be continually updated and assessed as the climate changes.

Real-time technology

On the positive side, digital technology was facilitating a rapid move towards near real time monitoring of TSFs. This is an important source of information for better understanding the performance of each TSF and its risk profile; modern equipment and instrumentation is allowing monitoring systems to populate datasets that support the GISTM’s monitoring and surveillance requirements.

It is now possible to monitor the changing risk in near real time against the performance baseline. There has been a shift from manual, single-point data collection to high-frequency big data platforms – which provides an opportunity to examine micro-trends and the inter-relationships between the metrics that govern TSF safety and other conformance aspects.

Blue-chip mining companies are moving actively towards implementing real-time monitoring systems, which will help TSF owners, operators and engineers of record (EORs) to monitor and manage TSF risk more effectively.

The knowledge base has also emerged as a vital focus for closure aspects of GISTM compliance. SRK has noted that there are often gaps in mine closure knowledge bases, where assumptions must be relied upon instead of evidence. This of course undermines the confidence in the closure design itself.

The information deficit often applies to physical and chemical characteristics of the tailings material, the cover requirements and stability aspects. It is recommended that the necessary data be gathered and analysed regularly through the mine lifecycle, ensuring that the funds are more readily available. As mines reach closure phase, the financial conditions often become more constrained.

Flood risks

The introduction of the GISTM has brought a change in design criteria – particularly around water management. In South Africa, for example, closure plans consider a 1-in-100-year flood event, in line with local legislation; there is now a move toward a probable maximum flood consideration, which implies significantly more rainfall over a defined period.

From a technical engineering perspective, the more stringent demands of the GISTM are clearly raising the cost of TSF design, construction and management. Mines sometimes look to reduce upfront capital costs by cutting out certain aspects of work that is now becoming essential for GISTM compliance.

SRK has found that a more useful way of approaching this challenge is to generate a master plan for the life of the TSF. This creates the opportunity to mines to make provision for an annual investment in TSF safety, ensuring that the cost is manageable in terms of the expected result.

Long-term view

Mines are learning to take a longer term view of TSF compliance – from design and construction through to closure – and this is enabling a more cost-effective and multi-disciplinary workflow over time. This allows mines to strategically optimise their capital costs by having clear deliverables in place. In the past, mines have worked with consultants and contractors with a short-term view – whereas this probably needs to be considered as a medium-term to long-term view that encompasses the full range of disciplines required to meet the new global standard.

A key cross-cutting element in various aspects of the GISTM is clearly the management of surface and groundwater, including the geotechnical work that must consider how water content affects stability. There is also a water stewardship angle to be considered, which focuses on water quality and access in the broader river catchment.

While these elements of the GISTM are yet to be fully explored in projects in the African region, mines are cognisant that a holistic approach to water management is required. They are looking at strategic approaches to managing their impacts on the hydrological cycle, aligned with the water stewardship approach.

TSFs are often located in low-lying areas, which are susceptible to variable rainfall patterns associated with climate change. With the lifespan of TSFs expected to withstand weather conditions over hundreds of years, planners will need to consider water stewardship to mitigate the implications of changing surface water run-off and water quality impacts.

There is much about the GISTM which is not new to the mining sector, but which requires constant, integration, innovation and improvement. The expertise in the sector to do this is often stretched, but there has been clear progress made across many disciplines.

STEINERT sensor-based sorting solutions helping Ferbasa adopt ESG practices in Brazil

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The use of sensor-based sorting (SBS) technology is allowing Companhia de Ferro Ligas da Bahia (Ferbasa) to avoid unnecessary processing by separating a fraction of the high-grade material from the metallurgical process feed in advance, a recent case study from STEINERT has revealed.

Ferbasa is in Ipueira, a municipality in the state of Bahia in the northeast of Brazil. It operates one of the largest chromite mines in Brazil and is considered a pioneer in the use of SBS technology, STEINERT says. The company processes chromite obtained from an underground mine, with the extracted material pre-concentrated using sorting technology that employs sensors, and is later used in the production of specialised steel alloys.

With a processing capacity of 12 Mt/y, the company has been using sensor-based sorting for 10 years, in a completely dry process that separates waste from high-grade chromite.

Eriberto Nascimento Leite, Mining Director at Ferbasa, says the ability to avoid unnecessary processing by separating a fraction of the high-grade material from the metallurgical process feed in advance through the use of SBS removes the requirement for any additional processing. In that way, particles which are not economically viable are eliminated from the process beforehand with only valuable material undergoing the follow-on concentration steps.

At Ferbasa, the use of SBS technology has enabled an increase in production, in addition to reducing costs in the subsequent processes, such as comminution and the use of inputs, such as reagents.

“Today, at Ferbasa, sensor-based sorting technology helps us adopt ESG practices, reducing waste, maximising production efficiency and contributing to the conservation of natural resources,” Nascimento says.

Nowadays, it is not only the mined ore that is processed, but also the stockpiles, which contain considerable amounts of chromium. The treatment of these stockpiles is only possible thanks to process automation and its high-capacity levels, which reach up to 180 t/h. Stockpile treatment has the potential to increase productivity in the mine. In terms of resource use, there is potential to reduce the consumption of water, energy and chemical reagents primarily because SBS is a dry separation process, unlike other pre-concentration processes such as dense media separation.

Ferbasa has always used a pre-concentration process with the aim of separating lump ore, which has a high chromite content, from the low-grade ore that goes to the concentration plant. However, this used to be a manual separation process. Bartolomeu Fonseca, the former Processing Manager at Ferbasa, discovered an article about sensor-based sorting technology from STEINERT. In 2012, he prepared material to be sent for tests at STEINERT’s Test and Development centre in Germany, and these were deemed successful.

A STEINERT KSS XT L in the chromite preconcentration setup

Ten years ago, when the first equipment was being installed, Ferbasa’s employees were sceptical about its capacity to support the adverse conditions in the mine. This is why STEINERT Latinoamericana, a subsidiary of STEINERT GmbH in Germany, offered a “try and buy agreement”. Over the years, the equipment’s high level of durability has been verified, resulting in the first unit still being in operation today, with a total of 34,000 hours of runtime.

“Looking back, it was not easy to apply the technology, but I decided to move forward because I believed that the technology could be effective,” Fonseca says. “Now, already retired, I am very proud of the legacy that I have left to the company. I had the full support from the mining director at that time, Wanderley Lins, but it was my responsibility to make it work.”

In 2014, during the commissioning of the first sorting system, a STEINERT XSS-T, STEINERT Latinoamericana started a partnership with Ferbasa.

Alonside this, STEINERT currently has a team of 30 collaborators who serve several mining clients in Latin America, in addition to having a test centre near the office in Brazil, enabling tests to be carried out with more convenience and efficiency for local clients.

Ferbasa started operating its first equipment in 2014. By 2019, it already had six units installed for the processing of run of mine and low-grade stockpiles.

The production benefits from flexibility of the sorting systems, which generate waste material, pre-enriched material and high-grade material. The processing capacities are up to 120 t/h for particles of 1- 3 in (25-76 mm), reaching up to 180 t/h for particles from 2-5 in. In terms of the sizes processed, the combination of sensors facilitates the separation of particles up to 5 in; a feature that, STEINERT says, reinforces the robustness and efficiency of the equipment for the detection and ejection of extremely coarse particles. In total, recoveries reach values of up to 90%, with upgrades of up to 1.5-3 times the feed levels.

Currently, Ferbasa applies SBS technology to process 100% of their run of mine, using two units from STEINERT, the STEINERT XSS T and STEINERT KSS | XT L, in a two-step process. In the first step, waste material is rejected, and, in the second, pre-enriched and high-grade materials are generated. The high grade-material meets the content specifications to be sent to the metallurgic plant, while the pre-enriched material is sent to another plant to follow other concentration procedures. Furthermore, the technology is applied in the processing of low-grade stockpiles, using two STEINERT KSS | XT L units – which combines the X-ray transmission sensor with three other additional sensor options (Induction, 3D laser, and Colour) – in two steps to separate waste, pre-enriched material and high-grade material. As a result, the low-grade stockpiles are processed in an economically viable way and with high sustainability gains.

Topdrill subsidiary to use GeoMoby Protect for ESG reporting purposes

Environmental, Mining services, Mining software, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Australian technology company GeoMoby has been contracted by Kalgoorlie-based Topdrill’s wholly-owned subsidiary, JBC Contracting, to roll out GeoMoby’s Protect technology to 30 drilling rigs working in its Australian operations.

It is the first time a large exploration drilling contractor will begin to incorporate GeoMoby’s Protect technology fully into its operations.

Protect uses location services including GPS, fusion sensors and GeoMoby’s own patented live tracking algorithms in order to geofence sites and trigger an alert if users enter or come within close proximity of a heritage site, even in remote areas with no connectivity. Receivers can be carried on-person, in vehicles, machinery or equipment, with the app compatible to most modern devices including smart phones and tablets, according to the company.

The technology allows those operating on site to create or upload geofences on a map from any GIS systems, then define different alerts and triggers, while ensuring minimum drain on the device battery. Information is then uploaded to a cloud-based platform with replay features and reporting capabilities for compliance purposes.

GeoMoby Director, Mathieu Paul, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with one of Australia’s largest and most professional drilling contractors, in Topdrill. We look forward to working together with Tim Topham and the team, using GeoMoby location intelligence technology, to improve the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage and environmental sites in Australia and around the globe.”

Tim Topham, founder and Managing Director of Topdrill Drilling, said: “Topdrill is known for challenging the industry with innovative solutions and thinking outside the ‘drill bit’. We have carefully researched GeoMoby’s extensive suite of Protect applications and believe it is top of its class. Its automatic reporting capability will immediately improve our ESG reporting for Topdrill’s mining clients.”

GeoMoby founder and CEO, Chris Baudia, added: “GeoMoby’s Protect is a key offering in the GeoMoby product line-up which includes three main geolocation solutions for underground mining, surface mining and cultural heritage protection. After years in development and testing, it is great to see Protect having a concrete start in the exploration industry in Western Australia. We believe our easy-to-use technology will soon become industry standard.”

Satellite-enabled IoT can be mining industry game changer, Viasat says

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As the mining industry faces mounting pressure to enhance its sustainability efforts, a significant majority (86%) of mining leaders have expressed intent to bolster their Internet of Things (IoT) adoption, according to Viasat’s Nicholas Prevost*.

This may point to growing acceptance in the industry that connectivity can help meet operational demands and demonstrate tangible sustainability progress to customers, investors and the general public in the coming year.

The capabilities of IoT – such as remote monitoring and control – are extensive for mining firms. The technology can support a variety of needs, whether it be through connected machinery that collects and analyses data, or through weather analysis to predict and mitigate against extreme weather.

To recognise IoT’s value and increase its use, it is vital for mining firms to first understand how the technology can enhance its mission-critical operations. Overall, IoT can help companies improve workforce safety, operational efficiency and offer cost-savings; as well as reduce environmental impact of their operations. All of which can lead to safer and more sustainable mining operations.

Safeguarding workforce and assets

According to the European Commission, mining and quarrying had the highest count for fatal accidents at work in the EU in 2020. By its very nature, the mining industry can be dangerous if operations and staff are not closely monitored and protected in near real time.

IoT-enabled capabilities, such as remote dam monitoring and pump control, can help mining companies reduce the need for personnel on the ground. This in turn, supports efforts in minimising accident rates and helping to prevent fatalities as the number of staff operating in challenging environments is reduced.

More widely, through solutions like weather monitoring, companies can also help protect their staff and assets from extreme events, like storm or lightning strikes. This also reduces accidents that can be associated with being in remote, unsheltered locations.

Additionally, capabilities like remote vehicle tracking can help mining operators keep a closer eye on personnel. An example of this is Viasat’s partner, Ivanhoe Mines, that has integrated satellite-connected telemetry solutions to track assets and improve driver safety. In doing so, operators can closely monitor the speed at which their staff are travelling between locations and reduce the risk of accidents occurring. Through location monitoring, it can also establish if a vehicle hasn’t moved for a period of time and the driver can be contacted as a precautionary measure or if an issue occurs.

Enhancing operational efficiency and cost-savings

IoT also holds significant potential in improving everyday efficiencies for mining firms. For example, closed mine sites, which are either abandoned or in ‘care and maintenance,’ require careful monitoring. Although sites may not be in operation, companies are still responsible for compliance with environmental regulations, health and safety and security. Companies must send staff out to check in on these sites – which can be costly and potentially dangerous due to legacy infrastructure, hostile climates and remote environments.

Monitoring of these mines can be supported through IoT sensors automatically, remotely and in real time: reducing the need for personnel to be physically present. Solutions can include air monitoring or on-demand HD video and access control, all of which can provide peace of mind for managers, reduce costs, improve visibility and allow monitoring of the biggest risks including flooding events and waste management.

Monitoring for ESG

With growing pressure on all industries to improve their sustainability initiatives and take clear action towards net zero goals, ESG has become a main concern in mining. Considering this, investing in IoT solutions can provide a noticeable return for mining companies who are looking to not only improve the sustainability of operations. Examples include areas like water management and tailings storage to avoid leaks and failures that can impact operations, communities and the environment – and streamline ESG reporting.

Through real-time monitoring and alerting, IoT solutions can help to capture and analyse data from sensors on sites and feed into automated reporting solutions on user-friendly platforms. These capabilities allow mining specialists to make more informed and quicker decisions in relation to water usage or failures and help mitigate the considerable impact on operations.

Real-time updates can also improve transparency in reporting, which is paramount for mining companies to maintain the trust of their investors and to be seen to be compliant with industry standards. By connecting the operations of the mining sites, firms can more easily track compliance with ESG regulations and reduce the risk of fines or legal action. That ensures a degree of transparency that can improve relationships with stakeholders.

Leverage satellite connectivity

Due to the typically remote locations of mining sites, conventional terrestrial connectivity is often unavailable or unreliable. With its global reach and reliability, satellite connectivity offers a vital alternative as well as a resilient back-up to terrestrial networks, regardless of a mine’s geographic location.

Satellite-enabled IoT solutions are being used in many cases within mines around the world. Viasat says it plays a pivotal role in ensuring these solutions are supported.

Leveraging Viasat’s L-band network – a global satellite network for IoT solutions – mining firms can benefit from high network availability of up to 99.9% through a globally standardised satellite connectivity solution, according to the company. Increased availability is also particularly relevant for short-term contractors or mining companies operating in regions that are remote and seismically unstable. In both cases they may not be willing to invest in costly, fixed communications infrastructure.

Overall, considering its benefits across operational efficiency and sustainability, the adoption of satellite-enabled IoT has the potential to be a game-changer for mining firms looking to future-proof their operations amid changing business environments.

*Nicholas Prevost is APAC Market Development Manager and Director of Mining at Viasat

United thinking on mining, water solutions can save money and protect the environment, Worley says

Base metals, Environmental, Mining services, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today, the need for extraction and refinement of copper and other transition materials is essential to world development, as we navigate a transition to more sustainable energy technologies, Saleem Varghese and Carola Sepulveda* write. But as its importance has grown, copper ore grades have decreased at a rate of approximately 25% over the last decade – increasing demand pressures on the commodity – meaning miners need to process more material to achieve the same output.

Today’s copper mines also need a lot of water. A 50,000 t/d ore copper mine will consume around 30,000 cu.m/d of fresh water. This isn’t a problem in some geographies, but it’s critical to the viability of operations in some of the most copper-rich regions on earth, such as the Americas.

Copper miners in the Americas are united by the need to secure their water supply, reduce water consumption and manage their environmental impacts. What can they do to overcome these interrelated challenges, while meeting their production targets?

Where are we now?

Mining and processing depend on vast amounts of water, and for South American miners this leads to complications. The copper mines of the Americas are frequently located in arid and mountainous regions where water is scarce. Indeed Chile, a leading copper mining nation, is currently enduring a ‘mega-drought’ of 13 years and counting. Here, water is a national security issue, leaving some rural communities reliant on tankers to supply fresh drinking water.

This importance is recognised by miners as well, with local community impact and water management being the industry’s top ESG risks, concerning 78% and 76% of respondents, respectively, according to research by EY.

Indeed, by 2040, all Chilean copper mines are expected to be in areas suffering from water stress. Likewise, water efficiency is increasingly becoming a serious problem, with the water-energy nexus shifting and water becoming more expensive. For water-intensive mining processes, lack of access and an increasing price per litre can be potentially difficult hurdles to overcome.

For modern copper miners, there is a historic separation between mining and water operations which must be reengineered to improve water access and use. As mines see their speed to market and output slowed due to water stress, there are three key challenges which, if solved, will help the industry as it extracts the materials to electrify the world. Only by managing water and mining operations together and bringing in collaborative expertise, can miners tackle the challenges before them and deliver at pace.

Understanding the three critical factors for mining success

Water management is the key ESG factor copper miners face today, and this manifests in three key issues: one historic, one present and one which poses a challenge now and will only get worse.

The first challenge is securing a reliable water supply.

The second challenge is reducing water consumption and increasing water efficiency, to ease pressure on water supply.

And the third challenge is minimising environmental risks.

Overall, water issues could affect the viability of mining projects in many regions around the world. Mining operations require significant amounts of water for processes including mineral extraction, ore processing, dust suppression and more. However, in many areas such as in Latin America water is becoming scarce due to drought, climate change and overuse.

Supplying modern mines

To supply mines and refining plants, mines have recently moved away from shared groundwater supplies to desalinated water. Desalination is more expensive but offers less impact on local communities and environment. Given that mines in the Americas are usually distant from the coast and at higher altitudes, desalination represents a difficult challenge for engineers to make feasible. Alternatively, to secure groundwater lifting licences, consumption needs to be effectively managed, and any water put back into the environment must be treated effectively.

Solving the supply challenge by altering water consumption

In effect, the first problem, supply, can be eased by tackling the second issue: water consumption. If supply is the historical issue, using water more efficiently to alter consumption is the issue of today. Whether it’s water use in particle flotation or lost in tailings slurries (for transportation and storage), making sure these processes are done as economically, efficiently and sustainably as possible is key. This is where new technologies and solutions come in.

An example of this is seen in the storage of tailings. Where water cost and procurement are not an issue in different locales and climates, the storage of tailings in a slurry form is common. In arid conditions where water resources are strained, the economic sense behind storage slurries evaporates. Slurries not only take water out of the operational system and into a closed storage system (which will need to be replaced), but it also allows the potential for water loss through evaporation and seepage.

Dry storage techniques – which have increased in scale in recent years – are the obvious solution with greater water reclamation from tailings and increased safety in storage. Moreover, high-altitude mines and liquid-based storage pose a potential risk to those downstream, making dry storage safer and more effective.

Copper tailings from an old mine that are deposited between rock berms that help contain the sediment

Another example of reducing consumption can be through greater efficiency when appraising the ores to be processed. This can be done with advanced ore sorting technologies such as those offered by NextOre, a cutting-edge technology able to provide real-time analysis of newly extracted ores. Rather than typical analysis methods which can detect mineral particles at or near the surface of ore, NextOre’s magnetic resonance technology can evaluate and sort much coarser ore with accuracy and speed. This allows miners to selectively remove the waste or lower grade material before it enters the processing plant – ultimately saving water, with only the best ore to be utilised.

A common misconception about water projects is that they are expensive and require significant resources to implement. While water projects can be costly, it is important to consider the long-term benefits that they bring, such as increased water availability, environmental impact mitigation, improved access to clean water for communities, and further growth for industry.

Saving water, and protecting the local environment

The third issue, which is increasing in importance by the day, is managing the risk of localised environmental issues, especially acid mine drainage that can contaminate the natural environment.

This is an issue that is only going to become harder to tackle as the ores we are required to mine become lower grade and the ability to avoid sulphur-forming ores is lost. In this respect, new technologies can help as more challenging ores are treated.

Overall, the challenges faced by the industry cannot be addressed by a single solution, or by siloed teams attacking from all angles. A unified, collaborative approach will be needed for the best results.

The design and implementation of a water management approach should be tailored to the specific mine site needs and context of the community and stakeholders involved. For projects to succeed in the future, they must integrate mining, water and environmental capability under one roof – from front-end studies to delivery, and operations through end-of-life. Miners will benefit from working with a collaborative partner to consider mining operations and water issues holistically, and how new mining technologies can operate synergistically to help tackle these water challenges.

Why internal and external collaboration is key for businesses

The mining industry will struggle to solve its water challenges alone. And it doesn’t need to. The complexity of modern mine operations – and need for diversified expertise – simply reflects the scale of the energy transition, and the need to continuously improve environmental outcomes to maintain the social licence to operate.

The answer is not straightforward and requires a deep understanding of operations, mining, water management and the surrounding community. Collaboration needs to be coordinated to develop and implement real solutions for the enduring issues facing miners.

If done right, copper mining will bring lasting value to communities through low-impact operations that share the benefits of water infrastructure and provide meaningful local economic contributions. This is the responsible way to ensure we deliver the copper our world desperately needs.

*Saleem Varghese is Copper Growth Lead at Worley, while Carola Sepulveda is Water for Mining Lead, Peru, at Worley

Rio Tinto breaks new ground with site-by-site water use disclosure data

Environmental, Mining services, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , ,

Rio Tinto says it has become the first major mining company to publish site-by-site water usage data across its global network of managed sites in 35 countries, through an interactive map on its website.

The company made the announcement on World Water Day 2023.

For each managed site included, the database details permitted surface water allocation volumes, the site’s annual allocation usage and the associated catchment runoff from average annual rainfall estimate. The database includes five-year historic comparative data and will be updated annually, according to the company.

In 2019, Rio Tinto made a commitment to drive good water stewardship and improve disclosure to stakeholders, by publishing site-by-site surface water usage data for all managed sites by the end of 2023.

This commitment is in line with the water reporting guidelines of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Water Stewardship Position Statement, which sets out ICMM members’ approach to water stewardship. It includes commitments requiring members to apply strong and transparent water governance, manage water at operations effectively and collaborate to achieve responsible and sustainable water use.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Jakob Stausholm, said: “Water is an essential resource, critical to sustaining biodiversity, people and economic prosperity. It is also a resource we share with the communities and nature surrounding our operations, so it is essential that we carefully manage our use and hold ourselves accountable to our stakeholders.

“This interactive database brings a new level of transparency and will enable us to engage more deeply with our stakeholders, seek their feedback on our disclosure and continue to focus our efforts on becoming better water stewards for today and future generations.”

Sharing water with communities and nature surrounding operations means balancing operational needs with those of the local communities and ecosystems, Rio says. The company aims to avoid permanent impacts on water resources by carefully managing the quality and quantity of the water used and returned to the environment.

“We will look to incorporate future water and broader environmental disclosures within this platform,” it said.

acQuire expands ESG management services with MTS addition

Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining software, , , , , , ,

acQuire Technology Solutions says it has completed the acquisition of MTS, a South Africa-based company that specialises in people-centred technology and advisory services to help resource companies meet obligations that cover their social licence to operate.

Insite becomes the third product in acQuire’s suite of information management tools for the natural resources industries. The software-as-a-service solution enables users to streamline collection, validation and management of social sustainability data, according to acQuire. Insite’s reporting capabilities on social performance are as reliable as the reporting from accounting systems.

Alison Atkins, acQuire’s CEO, welcomed the acquisition of MTS as part of a broader growth strategy for the company.

“MTS is an excellent fit for us and our purpose of solving data management challenges with robust software solutions,” she said. “We look forward to growing its excellent product and reputation under our ownership.”

This latest acquisition sees acQuire expand further into ESG management, which has become one of the most important topics in the global natural resources industry. Companies are under scrutiny to meet ESG obligations and are increasingly held to account by regulators, investors and the public.

Being able to measure and track progress helps companies manage their efforts toward social sustainability and sustainable development, acQuire says. Insite gives them a way to prove the impact they are having on the communities where they operate, both positive and negative. It allows for full and transparent reporting to all stakeholders including employees, clients and suppliers, the company added.

“Our success as a global provider of information management solutions, plus being backed by Vela Software, means we can leverage shared services, expertise and partnerships to extend the Insite product into new areas,” Atkins said.

“We see fresh opportunities to deliver social performance technology to more companies across Africa so businesses can future-proof their operations by harnessing the growth potential of their communities, workplaces and supply chains, and make data-led decisions.”

Insite manages and optimises regulatory compliance requirements and processes relating to the implementation and reporting of Social and Labour Plans, Mining Charters, the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment program, Employment Equity and Annual Training Reports for Workplace Skills Plans, mainly for mining companies in South Africa.

Maritha Erasmus, CEO and Founder of MTS, believes the acquisition by acQuire will provide greater opportunities to advance socio-economic inclusion. Both she and Phil Marneweck, CTO and co-founder of MTS, are eager to join the acQuire team.

“A delicate balance is required to create positive and sustainable social impact while mitigating business and environmental risks,” Erasmus said.

“The acquisition by acQuire is a chance to join a like-minded, values-based company. We look forward to expanding on the important work we started at MTS and the social impact we can make using technology.”

acQuire has been operating in Europe, the Middle East and Africa through its South African office since 2008. The MTS addition provides an extra decade of mining industry experience for the region to that office, it said.

Copper Mountain increases scope of trolley assist haulage project

Base metals, Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copper Mountain’s 2021 ESG Report has highlighted the progress the company has made on its “net-zero journey”, with its ongoing trolley assist project in British Columbia, Canada, one of the key drivers towards hitting its major 2035 goal.

The company operates its namesake mine in BC, which has recently increased throughput to 45,000 t/d as part of this net-zero journey.

Earlier this year, the company commissioned its trolley assist project with the help of Komatsu, SMS, ABB, BC Hydro and CleanBC. This project, the first of its kind in North America and a key plank of Copper Mountain’s goal of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2035, was designed to support four full-sized, trolley-capable 830E-5 Komatsu trucks at a time with hauling ore up a 1-km section of ramp in the operation’s main pit to its primary crusher.

Since commissioning the project, the company has amended its plan to convert seven trucks to trolley assist operation, now saying a total of 11 trolley-capable Komatsu trucks will be available to use trolley assist in the pit.

Each truck is expected to reduce diesel use by approximately 400 litres per hour, the company says, which equates to approximately 1 t of CO2 emissions.

“The trolley assist system will reduce annual carbon emissions by 30% compared to 2019 levels,” Copper Mountain says. “This is based on calculated savings of 6,000 t CO2e/y for the initial seven trucks as calculated for the trial, which, when scaled to the full fleet of 28 trucks, would produce a savings of 24,000 t CO2e/y, or approximately 30% compared to 2019 levels.”

With additional trolley sections planned over the next five-to-seven years, Copper Mountain says it could see a reduction of carbon emissions of up to 50% compared with 2019 levels.

The fact the Copper Mountain Mine is connected to the BC electricity grid, which has one of the lowest carbon intensities in the world due to being powered by clean and reliable hydroelectric power, makes the trolley assist project even more ‘sustainable’.

The company says it has been working with BC Hydro to upgrade the power supply infrastructure to the Copper Mountain Mine to provide more power for trolley assist and future power demands as it decarbonises and explores additional ways to electrify its operation.

Alongside the trolley assist project, Copper Mountain says it is working with partners to reduce emissions from diesel-powered haul trucks.

In 2021, it established a partnership with Cummins, Komatsu and SMS to test the use of a renewable diesel in haul trucks, and it continues to advance other partnerships to further reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Outside of trucks, Copper Mountain said it has targets to electrify its shovels in 2023 and drills in 2024.

Also in 2021, Copper Mountain collaborated with the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation and IBM to build a digital carbon emissions certification system called Mines Digital Trust. Using blockchain technology to attach ESG disclosures to metal production, this program enabled transparency along the supply chain and allowed third parties to track responsible producers through the Open Climate Network, led by the OpenEarth Foundation and the UN Global Innovation, the company said.

EY Canada bolsters ESG service offering with AFARA acquisition

Environmental, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , ,

EY Canada has welcomed AFARA and its team of multidisciplinary consultants to the firm to deepen existing resources and expertise in sustainability, and environment, social and governance (ESG) services.

With presence in Toronto and Calgary, Canada, AFARA provides leading public and private sector organisations with solutions – grounded in actionable insight – that make lasting improvements in sustainability performance, EY Canada says.

“Businesses around the world are now embracing societal change and sustainable development as road maps to long-term success – and we are excited to play a role in that journey,” Kent Kaufield, Chief Sustainability Officer and ESG Markets Leader at EY Canada, says. “At the end of the day, sustainability is everybody’s business. With AFARA, we look forward to helping clients build resilient, sustainable companies and economies, while furthering the energy transition.”

Dan Zilnik, President at AFARA, said: “It’s incredible to be joining an organisation so focused on culture, values and solving some of the world’s most meaningful, complex problems.”

For nearly 20 years, EY teams have built a legacy in providing sustainability and ESG services. Now, with AFARA joining the EY-Parthenon practice, the firm will provide clients with enhanced end-to-end services that address the increasing ESG challenges organizations face today, it said.

Dave Rogers, Canadian Strategy Leader at EY-Parthenon, said: “From setting greenhouse gas reduction targets, to turning carbon dioxide pollution into valuable products and scaling up transformational recycling technologies, we’re helping leaders reframe their sustainability strategy to help protect and create value for business, people, society and the world. This investment is a testament to firm’s commitment to accelerating climate action, and empowering its people and clients do the same.”