CHASING THE GREEN PREMIUM
Underground , mines are adopting battery power in their trackless machinery as the haul distances underground tend to be shorter and flatter . An added benefit of battery power over diesel is the reduced energy needed for ventilation .
“ Consequently , to obtain the full benefit of any investment in battery vehicles requires looking at the whole operation ,” Pearce said .
Underground coal mines have always been conscious of methane levels due to the safety risk , though the traditional solution of diluting any emissions using ventilation now means the methane is too dilute to burn , according to Pearce . SRK ’ s ventilation specialists in California are consequently working on projects to develop solutions to cost effectively destroy this methane , while other specialists are working with clients to measure emissions so that solutions can be targeted .
“ Mine waste can also sequester carbon – tailings from nickel , platinum and diamond mines extract CO 2 from the air to create inert carbonates which are then buried ,” Pearce added . “ Understanding the weathering mechanism and how changes may be required to the tailings deposition process without impacting either tailings stability or water use requires a team of specialists , which we have .”
The world ’ s biggest gold miner by production , Newmont , is pursuing such a sequestration project , looking to explore the innovative rapid electrochemical mineralisation to form dolomite approach for sequestering carbon in mine tailings as part of a US Department of Energybacked project .
Then there are more subtle changes to be made to lower emissions , including blasting finer to reduce the crushing and grinding burden , using preconcentration and HPGRs at the start of project development , and optimising haul road design and maintenance to reduce diesel consumption .
SulNOx counts the fuel savings
UK-based SulNOx Group would argue it can provide one of those ‘ subtle ’ sustainability changes by adding its SulNOxEco Diesel Conditioner to all diesel and other ‘ light fuels ’ including biofuels in both mobile and stationary generation applications .
A green product made with natural ingredients that are also readily biodegradable , SulNOxEco Diesel Conditioner is added to the fuel tank before filling up with fuel , scavenging free water from the system , resulting in homogeneous fuel that , the company says , will remain stable for months in the tank .
SulNOxEco reduces corrosion and clears residue , improves efficiency and modifies the flame characteristics , thus heavily reducing emissions and significantly reducing fuel costs while remaining fully compliant with engine manufacturer specified fuel standards , such as the EN in Europe and ASTM in the US , according to the company .
It also contains lubricity improvers , which help maintain the condition of fuel pumps and injectors – resulting in a substantial reduction in engine wear and maintenance costs , SulNOxEco says . Engine oil and bearing life are also improved by the reduction of soot and acid byproducts of combustion that blow by the piston rings . This also helps keep modern exhaust components , such as EGR valves , DPF filters and their sensors , functioning properly and reducing AdBlue use .
The combined benefits , SulNOxEco says , allow consumers to realise an overall reduction in operating costs by up to 10 % and , on average , an up to 60 % reduction in PM2.5 ( fine particulate matter ) emissions . In a recent case study where the solution was piloted on a diesel-powered Cummins C220 D5E generator , the use of SulNOx demonstrated a 12 % fuel saving over roughly 2,500 litres of diesel use , which directly translates to lower emissions . While this example was from a stationary power solution , the company is currently engaged in trials with some European mines on haul truck applications .
Instrumental parts of the value chain
As a leader in testing , inspection and certification services , Bureau Veritas believes it has plenty to offer the mining sector when it comes to decarbonisation and achieving the ‘ green premium ’.
Bernie Yeung , Manager of Strategic Growth at the company , says Bureau Veritas has started to see a percentage of its clients – from exploration to producers – look to rebrand as ‘ green miners ’.
“ Of course , this entails a variety of initiatives including reducing water usage , utilising different technology to determine orebody anomalies prior to drilling , ore sorting prior to the secondary crushing and grinding stage – reducing or maximising electrical use and disposing of waste rock ,” he told IM .
At the current time , the idea is to look at different stages of the mining cycle and determine where cost savings , efficiency and waste reduction can be implemented with littleto-no impact on the environment , according to Yeung .
“ This trajectory will continue with further improvements down the road ,” he said .
On the Scope 1 & 2 emission side of the equation , electrification and renewable alternatives for facilities / equipment and haul trucks represent the low hanging fruit for mining companies , Yeung says .
“ Further implementation also includes autonomous connected machinery , advanced analytics and digital automation , resulting in more targeted and efficient mining ,” he added .
When it comes to bringing down Scope 3 emissions , partnering with suppliers and customers across the value chain is key , ensuring they are aligned with outlined emission reductions or have their own targets that meet outlined goals , according to Yeung .
Asked about what technologies would likely be leveraged over the near term to achieve these reductions , he answered : “ Tracking end-to-end carbon emissions data , not only at various stages at a producing mine site , but , through the supply chain . Additionally , enabling real-time , informed decision making , based on where in the value chain the emissions are produced and what corrective action is required immediately .”
Yeung views Bureau Veritas and its services as “ instrumental parts ” of the mining value chain , with the commercial laboratory side continuously looking at new technology to lower emissions , manage hazardous waste , encourage cost savings ( ie reduction on consumables , chemicals , etc ) and , more importantly , increase safety .
“ We are starting to see technology not just replace traditional analytical test work – requiring lots of energy , various standard chemicals , consumable / hazardous waste – but providing faster and accurate data to clients , enabling informed decisions at site and / or at the plant , reducing time and waste ,” he said .
IM
Bernie Yeung views Bureau Veritas and its services as “ instrumental parts ” of the mining value chain
44 International Mining | APRIL 2023