RESOURCEFUL MINING ISSUE | 2022
ESG
Addressing climate change in the mining industry Like other industries, mining has a crucial role to play in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Dineo Phoshoko speaks to Tycho Möncks, managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group Johannesburg, to discusses climate change in the context of mining.
How does mining contribute to climate change? TM On an emissions-per-GDP basis, South Africa (as a country, across all industries) ranks among the top 20 carbon-intensive economies globally – primarily due to grid electricity that has a high carbon intensity. This obviously then also has implications on the carbon intensity of South African mining operations, as processing and refining are highly energy intensive. However, mining companies are already pursuing paths to lower their carbon footprint.
In April 2022, KwaZulu-Natal was hit by heavy rains and resultant flooding that claimed the lives of more than 400 people and caused major damage in parts of the province, providing a stark reminder of the harsh consequences of climate change.
Tycho has been with BCG since 2007 and has many years of on-site, hands-on experience
What risks are most elevated as a result of climate change? The carbon-intensive nature of mining in Major infrastructure damage was caused by the KZN floods in April 2022
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