As carbon emissions increasingly become a key driver in strategic thinking for mines, companies are turning to cutting-edge technologies to optimise carbon efficiency. Currently, only 2.5% of the mining sector’s electricity comes from renewable energy, but in the face of COP21 targets, carbon pricing in many major mining sectors and pressure from investors to demonstrate a commitment to carbon reduction initiatives, mining companies are increasingly investing in innovative methods to reduce their carbon footprint.
As part of its stated 100% carbon neutral target, De Beers has been investigating the carbonation potential of Kimberlite, a naturally occurring rock that can store carbon emitted directly from the company’s mining activity. The gold mining company Goldcorp has created the world’s first all-electric mine in Ontario and, by integrating battery technology into its vehicles and drilling/blasting equipment, has successfully eliminated the equivalent of 5,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. You can read more about how mines are adopting innovative carbon reduction technologies HERE.