Gold mining companies run power-hungry operations, with a substantial carbon footprint. Last year, for every tonne of gold produced, greenhouse gas emissions released were 32,689 tonnes, according to a report from the World Gold Council.
However, gold miners are resorting to new and innovative means to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and abate carbon footprints, according to Kitco.com.
- Hydropower – Agnico Eagle (Nunavut), Barrick Gold (Kibali), Centerra (British Columbia), Pretivm Gold (Brucejack, Canada)
- Solar power – Barrick Gold (Loulo-Gounkoto), Newmont Goldcorp (Ghana), B2Gold (Otjikoto, Namibia, and Fekola, Mali), Gold Fields (South Deep, South Africa)
- Geothermal power – Newcrest
- Wind power – Newmont Goldcorp (Cerro Negro, Argentina)
- Battery power – Gold Fields (Granny Smith Mines, Western Australia)
- Replace heavy fuel oil with natural gas – Newcrest
- Switch from diesel to electric for mining equipment – Eldorado (Kisladag, Turkey), Kirkland Lake Gold (Macassa Mine, Canada)
- Hybrid solar-diesel plant – IAMGOLD (Essakana, Burkina Faso)
- Microgrid (gas-plus-solar-plus-wind-plus-battery) – Agnew Gold Mine (Western Australia)
- Use waste heat recovery systems for fossil-fired generators – Barrick Gold (Nevada)
- Transportation, no idling of on-site vehicles – Centerra (British Columbia)
- Mine road redesign to reduce hauling distance – Kinross (Tasiast, Mauritania)
- Process: Coarse ore flotation; autoclave partial oxidation; oxygen storage bullet; ore sorting – Newcrest
On a slightly different note, and not related to gold mining, BHP took the unprecedented step to link its CEO’s bonus to climate change metrics.
Read the Kitco.com article HERE.
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