Green mining, as the name depicts, is defined as technologies and processes specifically designed to decrease the impact of extraction and metal processing on the environment.
Traditional mining processes result in a high amount of carbon emission. The mining industry is one of the largest energy consumers, with daily processes requiring a lot of energy. Shortly, the mining industry is expected to grow exponentially; however, it substantially requires sustainable alternatives to reduce the risk of excessive energy consumption.
By utilizing efficient energy plans, the mining industry will be able to reduce energy consumption. Green mining technologies can help companies reduce electricity consumption; therefore, it is having lucrative potential in the future. According to a study by Astute Analytica, the global green mining market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~8% during the forecast period 2021 to 2027.
How does green mining work?
Green mining entails minimizing the impact of various aspects of the mining process on the environment. A miner, in the coming years, will be able to choose to reduce its carbon footprint by only using clean-fuel vehicles and machinery.
The Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) method captures carbon emissions released during the mining process. Instead of being released into the atmosphere, the carbon dioxide is stored underground by the miner.
It’s not just about carbon, though. Mining has a variety of negative effects on the environment. The digging, explosions and waste materials associated with the projects have the potential to devastate natural habitats.
The researchers have been investigating several potential solutions to solve these issues. Some of the renowned technologies include re-mining existing waste materials, cleaning wastewater, and replenishing the local ecosystem.
Here are some of the examples of the technologies contributing to this green revolution in the mining sector
Cement Binder:
Conventional cement binders are used in underground mining to shore up shafts and prevent collapses. Portland cement is considered very effective in sustaining shafts; however, it produces tonnes of CO2, which may negatively affect the environment. Recently introduced slag binder is a new type of environmentally friendly binder developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for use in mine shafts.
Electric Loaders:
Loaders powered by an electric motor are expected to have a potential future due to a growing push towards sustainable solutions.
Traditional Techniques for Dust Control
DST has been in use for years and is considered a convenient way to control dust emissions. During the mining process, huge amounts of dust are released, which affects the environment. Pre-wetting the areas that will be blasted by sprinklers can be used to control the early release of dust.
In addition to that, plants are expected to harvest metals without breaking open the earth’s surface. The process is known as agromining. In this process, metals would be extracted from asteroids and minor planets in asteroid mining, which is still purely hypothetical.
In addition to that, deep-sea mining is forecast to offer rich and untapped deposits of valuable metals, which will be required for the development of greener technology.
Why do we need Green Mining methods?
Traditional mining methods substantially harm the environment. However, the process entirely depends upon the type of mining involved. For instance, open-pit mining excavates the material from an open pit. Moreover, the minerals are present in small quantities, which drives the need for performing mining procedures. The extraction technique destroys the rock layers that have not been disturbed for eras. As a result, it releases toxic and radioactive elements into the environment, which affects the overall environment.
What is driving the scope of Green Mining?
Green mining is primarily driven by the growing concerns over rising pollution rate across the world. In addition to that, increasing initiatives by government bodies and contribution of mining technology providers is expected to shape the future of green mining industry.
Contribution of Companies
Companies are also continuously thriving to make betterments in technology. Moreover, the scope of sustainable technology is potential in the future, and the industry is forecast to witness several positive changes aimed at environmental safety. Recognizing the scope of green technologies, various companies, such as Vulcan Energy Resources, Dundee Precious Metals, SANY, etc., have begun making amendments to the policies.
Vulcan Energy Resources, based in Australia, aspires to be the world’s first lithium producer with zero greenhouse gas emissions. It intends to do so through its Upper Rhine Valley geothermal lithium brine project. Without the methods used in its project in Germany, the company claims that the path to producing and refining enough lithium to electrify all of the world’s passenger vehicles would emit approximately 1.05 billion tonnes of CO2. As a result, Vulcan is quick to point out that each tonne of lithium hydroxide produced would emit zero kilograms of carbon dioxide. The project aims to have zero carbon footprint in the future.
Recently, Dundee Precious Metals also unveiled its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets. With its project, the firm aims to commit to a 37.5% reduction by the year 2035. Moreover, the firm also intends to reach Net Zero Emissions by 2050.
Furthermore, SANY, a prominent player in the green mining industry, unveiled its autonomous mining trucks in 2020 with its goal to focus on unmanned surface mining and well-mining equipment.
After years of green mining practice, the Chinese mining company Zijin Mining also won praise from the local community for continuously decreasing the impact of mining activities on the environment. Zijin Mining owns and operates the DRC’s fourth-largest copper company, which boasts vast reserves of copper, gold, and a variety of other valuable minerals. As the mining deposits continue to pay off, the Chinese company has always prioritized sustainability through its green mining practices, which benefit the local community.
On its waste dump, the company began afforestation and revegetation work in 2018. However, the efforts were in vain at first, as only about 10% of the first batch was sold.
Contribution of Governments
Governments of various countries are continuously investing in technologies aimed at improving mining methods. For instance, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker unveiled his plan to introduce ‘green mining’ in Ghana in 2021. According to the minister, this approach is forecast to aid industry places and small-scale miners to use machines that are mercury-free and does not harm the environment. Moreover, he also explained that green mining technology will also prompt the use of resources and reduce the harmful effects of mining on the environment. Further, the government imported nearly 100 commodity monitors aimed at green mining activities.