COMMENT •

Leon Louw - Editor • @ LeonLouw3 • llouw @ interactmedia . co . za

As the primary mining sector starts feeling the pinch of a green revolution , the recycling sector has moved into overdrive to emphasise its pivotal role in the circular economy .

Greenfield exploration and virgin mining might fall victim to a circular economy . With carbon emissions , ESG reporting and environmental impacts now regarded as major risks for new mining companies , the recycling of end-products and re-mining of old tailings dams and mining dumps are looking more and more attractive .

During last year ’ s Joburg Indaba , held in Johannesburg , South Africa , Bobby Godsell , mining legend and CEO of multinational mining giant Anglo American in the 1990s , raised the issue when asked by one of the delegates whether the new push for a greener future would not be detrimental to exploration . “ Exploration and the establishment of new mines are certainly no longer the only way to extract minerals and metals ,” Godsell said .

Virgin exploration and mining projects have become more expensive , a lot riskier and its environmental footprint is certainly expanding as more new projects come online to satisfy increased global demand .

On the other hand , recycling projects in Europe , North America and Canada , and re-mining operations , especially of PGMs and gold in South Africa , have ensured a steady flow of dividends to its shareholders , while , at the same time , have not burnt holes in the pockets of its owners in terms of operational costs .

What has become known as Cleantech products , are a lot more environmentally friendly than traditional mining , while being a pivot around which the circular economy operates .

The costs of finding new deposits and mining them have increased exponentially over the years . At the same time improved mining methods and new technology made it possible for recycling companies to extract the same minerals and metals at a fraction of what big extractive companies have to dish out to keep their projects operational .

The problem with recycling minerals , metals , and waste items like tyres until very recently , was not only the amount of carbon the smelters and processing plants spewed out in the recycling process , but also their unsatiable demand for a steady supply of energy . Technology has addressed this problem to a large extent .

Progressive and technology focused companies like TSX-listed Mineworx in North America , has made significant strides in finding more environmentally friendly solutions to recycle spent diesel converters which contains large amounts of platinum , rhodium , and palladium ( PGMs ).

In our Financial Forum section of this issue , we take a closer look at Mkango Resources ( another Canadian company ) and their research into recycling Rare Earth Elements . The mining world has indeed been turned on its head by the green movement . Even so , it is now even more interesting to watch as different interests and lobby groups square up against one another .•

Leon Louw , Editor

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