GREEN ECONOMY IN MINING INDUSTRY: IS IT A TWO-EDGED SWORD?

Alberto Graciano Parulian Butarbutar 12120075

Regardless of whether we like it or not, all of us have some contribution either directly or indirectly to the demand for metal production and we are also responsible for the waste resulting from the mining and manufacturing process of industrial metals. According to the Minerals Education Coalition, on average Americans will use 1,360,000 kg minerals, metals and fuels throughout their life, including 1.77 ounces of gold, 12,435 kg of iron ores and 443 kg of copper, hence the proportion of copper use per person will keep on increasing as the renewable energy increases.

The constantly increasing demand for metal production will result in the climate change that the world has been long aware of and whose impacts can now be critically seen. Mining companies, such as Rio Tinto, are of course affected by the climate change themselves. Water is needed from exploration to mining closure stages. Unfortunately, the climate change has led to water distribution conflict for companies’ business. Rio Tinto’s Operation Department and Management also expect that they will need 40 percent more water in 2030. One of the best ways to stop the impacts of climate change on the global economic sustainability is by replacing the fossil fuel with low-carbon electricity. Low-carbon economy can be a solution for climate crisis. This low-carbon economy depends on the supply of inexpensive metals, particularly copper, the main resources that enable power generation, transmission, and storage of electricity itself. It is expected that this low-carbon development could generate an economic growth with low greenhouse gas emission to mitigate the impacts of climate change, improve the environmental quality and achieve the sustainability goal.

This is also consistent when viewed from the market development in electric vehicles. In 2030, it is expected that the demand for electric vehicles will be 1738% of the global automotive market. Some countries including Denmark, Sweden, Israel and Ireland will also ban the use of fossil-fueled machines. As this market demand increases, the market needs for metal use will also increase by 12%, where this amount of demand is three times the demand for metal in automotive sector in the last 10 years. This is what the President and CEO of Mining Association from British Columbia refers to as “mining boom”.

On the other hand, mining boom can be a pivot point for mining industry, metal and mineral play an important role in shifting the economy to a cleaner source of energy and making more eco-friendly products. However, this also presents a challenge for the mining ability to supply the transition process with adequate resources. The significant difference between demand and supply will be visible in obtaining approval, development, and operation of projects which could limit the amount of resources supply. The low commodity price can also erode the economic eligibility of resources extraction.

The core issue in the realization of green economy driven by climate change is an opportunity and threat at the same time for mining industry. If the operation process is considered hazardous, we will lose the opportunity to develop the mining, produce metals and participate in the development of green economy. The industry needs to find enough time to solve this issue or else it will finish us instead. The image of mining industry cannot be changed, yet it is still possible to apply a fairly effective solution. Based on the Wall Street journal, CONSOL Energy Inc., is one of the companies that have implemented the Methane Capturing mining technique. This technique draws gas from the mining using a strong fan and drain it out through a hot ceramic that oxidizes the methane gas, turning it into carbon dioxide and water vapor to be released to the atmosphere. Meanwhile, some companies have also applied the Zero Discharge Water program, where it processes the discharge water to make it feasible for reuse. This way, not only the process omits the need for expensive disposal process, it also maintains the project clean water disposal at a highly efficient rate.

Eventually, all applicable solutions lead to a responsible mining through the application of Good Mining Practice. A responsible mining ensures that all aspects are considered well to minimize any possible environmental impacts. This will allow us to achieve the Net Zero Emission target and manifest the green economy.

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References:

Kotze, C. (2021). Mining and the green economy. miningreview.com. Retrieved 4 Januari 2023, from https://www.miningreview.com/basemetals/mining-and-the-green-economy/

Leonida, C. (2020). The green economy: mining’s double-edged sword. The Intelligent Miner. Retrieved 6 Januari 2023, from https:// theintelligentminer.com/2020/01/22/the-green-economy-minings-double-edged-sword/

Woodin, H. (2021). Mining key to transition to green economy. mining.com. Retrieved 6 Januari 2023, from https://www.mining.com/ mining-key-to-transition-to-green-economy/

Dupuy, K. (2021, January 26). Green & Sustainable Mining: Green-Washing in the Extractive Industries? Prio.Org. Retrieved 7 Januari 2023, from https://blogs.prio.org/2021/01/green-sustainable-mining-green-washing-in-the-extractive-industries/ Poirier, M. (2016). Five ways mining has already gone green. mining.com. Retrieved 10 Januari 2023, from www.mining.com/web/5-waysmining-has-already-gone-green/ http://www.riotinto.com/documents/RT_SD2015_Environment.pdf retrieved 10 Januari 2023.

Contributor: Jedidjah Archellio Hardios

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