THE LEADER VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 2
Sustainable mining to meet net-zero targets
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Mining is an essential process that has become even more critical as the world moves towards a greater energy transition . Minerals are a crucial component in clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles , solar panels and batteries , and the demand for these minerals is increasing .
According to the International Energy Agency ( IEA ), the demand for certain minerals to support the transition is projected to increase more than twentyfold by 2040 .
Meeting global carbon reduction targets is essential to mitigating the effects of climate change and the mining industry will play a key role in this effort . Mining practices must adapt and evolve to be more environmentally friendly and help decarbonise operations . In line with global efforts to meet the Paris Agreement objective , mining companies are setting targets to reduce their greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions .
A PwC survey of CEOs in 2021 showed 76 % of global mining and metals executives were concerned about climate change and environmental damage , up from 57 % a year earlier . And 70 % of global mining executives said they planned to increase their long-term investments in sustainability and environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) initiatives .
There are several ways mines can reduce their carbon footprint , but moving to a 100 % electric mine would represent a transformational shift for underground mine operations where diesel engines have dominated for over 100 years . Underground diesel equipment represents one of the biggest environmental challenges a mine faces . Switching to an electric energy source can significantly impact mines , reducing their ventilation shaft and tunnel sizes ; the size of their fans and heating and cooling systems ; their carbon footprint ; and their capital investment .
Diesel equipment can also represent a significant financial burden within a mine ’ s ventilation cost footprint , so moving to electric sources while updating ventilation solutions can be highly effective for improving overall environmental credentials . While progress has been made , which will result in future benefits , there are opportunities for the mining industry to reduce energy consumption and emissions through a combination of advanced sustainable technologies , actionable insight into mine operations and automation – solutions that exist today .
Digital advancements are enabling the industry to become more efficient , safe and productive by collecting , analysing and implementing data to optimise mine conditions , processes and maintenance decisions . Digital technologies and automation can also be applied to ventilation .
Ventilation is a vital process in a mine ’ s operation . It is necessary for providing fresher air and , in some instances , cooling the working environment , clearing blast fumes and diluting exhaust fumes and gases generated by mining . This means it needs to run consistently and reliably , often accounting for substantial operating costs and up to 40- 50 % of a mine ’ s total energy consumption . Advanced technology and more efficient ventilation systems can reduce costs and significantly contribute to a mine ’ s carbon reduction objectives .
The primary goals of ongoing mine ventilation developments are to mitigate environmental impact , as already outlined , by reducing GHG emissions and improving underground air quality . They are also necessary to create efficiency that is sustainable and reliable , so a mine continues to produce energy savings throughout its lifecycle . Optimising overall health and safety models is crucial , which rely on automation for unprecedented operational capabilities .
There are several solutions to support these goals , including electric mine air heating , which provides a simple and safe solution with zero emissions . Through a modular design approach , these systems use industrial grade , Incoloy tubular elements selected for optimal functionality and maintenance .
Optimised ventilation systems are also available to drive energy savings and contribute to net zero commitments . Products like Ventsim™ CONTROL utilise intelligent software that communicates with hardware devices to remotely monitor , control and automate airflow and heating and cooling systems .
Thermal heat recovery can result in operational flexibility and reduced emissions . By employing a system of heat transfer coils , liquid pumping stations and control and automation technology , the mine can generate heat recovery using potential sources like waste heat from mine exhaust air , central boilers , power generators , and compressors or green sources such as geothermal energy .
Ammonia refrigeration systems offer a sustainable solution with no harmful CO 2 or HFC emissions . Ammonia is considered the “ green refrigerant ” and has been used for many years , however , it is now coming into its own with the demands for reducing the footprint of hydrocarbon and HCFC refrigerants that can affect the atmosphere .
Companies like Howden have been successfully supplying these green mine ventilation solutions for years , and the results are clear .
The Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia required a new indirect air heating , ventilation and filtration solution . Howden developed a unique thermal heat recovery solution that included airlock access , pipe work engineering , main and bypass damper , and fan outlet . Howden ’ s solution can be used as a reference for the remainder of the mine ’ s development . Each heater house was designed to capture 22 MW of waste heat from the hot water system .
An electric heating system was supplied to a high-grade underground mine in northern British Columbia , Canada . The system included two direct-fired , hybrid M . I . D mine air heaters and enabled the mine ’ s electric mine air heating system to take advantage of low electricity prices .
Ventilation automation has been a part of several largescale mine operations for decades and some mines have experienced reductions of more than 50-60 % in energy consumption and 11,500 t of CO 2 emissions .
The Newmont Éléonore mine in Quebec , Canada , brought in a Ventsim CONTROL system , which included ventilation monitoring stations and the automation of all ventilation equipment . To date , there has been a 43 % reduction in mine heating costs , a 56 % drop in underground ventilation electricity costs and a 73 % decrease in the cost of surface ventilation electricity . Recognising the proven benefits of Howden ' s Ventilation on Demand system , Newmont – Eleonore won the Eureka Prize from Écotech Québec .
As a pioneer , Howden engineered ammonia refrigeration systems in mines during the 1970s . More recently , the company supplied ammonia screw chillers at the Prominent Hill mine in South Australia for OZ Minerals . In partnership with the customer , Howden created solutions that had the highest functionality while supporting their net-zero targets .
As environmental pressure builds , especially on mining companies , now is the time to implement proven solutions to support a cleaner energy future .
Livio Salvestro Global Mining Team Leader
Howden
FEBRUARY 2023 | International Mining 3