Climate
Mining companies that incorporate climate-smart mining practices can significantly reduce their environmental footprints. These practices seek to:
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Instead of broad statements, companies are implementing specific strategies, such as transitioning to electric haul trucks. Carbon capture technologies are being explored to mitigate remaining emissions.
Minimize Water Consumption
Using less freshwater is a major focus of climate-smart mining. Advanced recycling and treatment systems keep water use efficient. Closed-loop systems help by reducing waste and making sure as much water as possible gets reused instead of discharged.
Manage Waste Efficiently
Modern tailings management involves dry stacking and filtered tailings to minimize the risk of leaching. Waste rock is being repurposed for construction materials and land reclamation. Mineral recovery from waste materials is being researched to promote a circular economy.
Promote Social and Environmental Responsibility
Digging up necessary resources without wrecking everything is the whole point of climate-smart mining. Respecting cultural traditions, considering the needs of local communities, and keeping a close watch on the environment all factor into responsible mining. A well-run operation gives back through conservation efforts, job opportunities, or simply making sure a town’s water stays clean.
To minimize discharge and maximize reuse, closed-loop water systems are being put into place. Climate-smart mining reduces freshwater consumption by using advanced water recycling and treatment systems.
Clean energy needs a lot of raw materials—that's why the World Bank estimates that by 2050, producing wind, solar, and geothermal power will take three billion tons of minerals and metals. Meeting that demand means mining output has to increase by 600%.
Wind turbines show how mining provides essential raw materials for energy-efficient technologies. Constructing turbines that capture offshore wind energy depends on large amounts of mined resources, including:
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Steel
- Rare earth metals that create magnets
Supply chain considerations are also being addressed, with companies striving for ethical sourcing and responsible mineral extraction.
To cut reliance on fossil fuels, companies search for better energy sources since running a mine requires massive amounts of power. Many set up their own renewable systems or partner with local green power providers to use wind, solar, and hydropower. Lowering emissions and increasing demand for better wind turbines, stronger solar panels, and more efficient hydro systems help make clean energy more accessible and affordable.
The Foundations of Clean Energy
Mined minerals keep renewable energy running, from production to storage. Materials like cobalt, lithium, and graphite power battery systems, wind turbines, and solar panels. Clean energy wouldn’t reach homes, cities, and cars without them.
