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Markets
Minerals & metals
Mark Adams
Mining Global Market Lead, Vancouver, Canada contact form+1 604 209 1838
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C (2.7 °F) will require an unprecedented level of commitment and transformation across all sectors, including transportation, infrastructure, industrial, manufacturing, water and energy. Investing in clean energy infrastructure and technologies are key to reducing emissions. From the lithium in batteries to the silicon in solar panels, minerals and metals are essential to decarbonization and reaching a net zero future.
To meet such ambitious goals, extraction and production will need to increase for all critical minerals — up to 450% for certain minerals like graphite and lithium.[1] However, the impact of increasing resource extraction to meet the unprecedented demand without addressing mining’s own sustainability could undermine the ability to achieve net zero itself.
Miners need to balance the priority of increasing production with the reduction of total carbon emissions. A solid understanding of the emissions footprint across the entire mine life cycle is needed, with sustainability as a driving factor in the design, operation and closure of a project. There is no “one size fits all” approach to decarbonizing a mine site, and the details matter. A robust understanding of the geography, climate, mining and processing methods, and policy and regulations play a vital role in developing an actionable decarbonization roadmap.
It is estimated that the mining industry currently accounts for 4%-7% of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.[2] To decarbonize, the industry has identified three main priorities:[3]
Electrification
Electrification of operations refers to the process of replacing technologies that use fossil fuels with alternate technologies that use electricity, hydrogen, or nuclear. Historically, mining has relied heavily on diesel-powered mobile equipment, which are substantial carbon emitters. Electrification will significantly reduce the footprint of operations, but can present challenges around battery and energy storage, mine design, and long-term planning. Operators must consider and understand the technology options available to them in parallel with the strategic plan for the mine.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Clean Energy Sources
Along with electrifying operations, clean energy sources need to be considered across the value chain. Integrating clean, renewable energy such as wind, solar, and hydro into operations will help decarbonize and reduce risks associated with volatile fossil fuel prices. An additional complexity for mines is that they are often remote and off-grid where energy supply is a challenge. However, there could be potential to use excess land to develop and generate renewable energy and storage solutions to power operations.
Bridging and Transitional Strategies
Bridging and transitional strategies offer other energy efficiencies through process optimization, such as smaller mining equipment, trolley assist systems, conveyors and innovative mineral processing technologies. Combining these different methods and strategies can support larger decarbonization efforts at operations and reduce GHG emissions.
Today, mining companies are working to decarbonize operations while preparing for increased demand for key resources to achieve global net zero targets. AtkinsRéalis is supporting Nouveau Monde Graphite in development of their Matawinie Graphite Mine in Quebec, Canada, which will supply high-purity, battery-grade material to supply the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery industry. In addition to supplying a critically strategic mineral to the green transition, Nouveau Monde Graphite is leading the mining industry through its commitment to fully-electric operations and are on track to becoming the first all-electric open-pit mine completely powered by renewable energy. Nouveau Monde Graphite has also developed a robust climate action plan that outlines how its operation will achieve net zero by 2030 and support the overall global decarbonization effort.
Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie Graphite Mine in Québec, Canada
Every mine site and operation is unique and complex. However, the first step to any net zero strategy is a benchmark to inform what targets can be achieved and the scope of action required to deliver them. Capturing emissions data develops a carbon baseline that mining organizations can use to develop carbon reduction pathways – mapping out the different technologies, cost implications and pace of transformation to decarbonize operations.
The complexity in the mining industry means that data and artificial intelligence play a significant role in converting emissions data into informed insight. Our DecarbonomicsTM solution uses data visualization tools and machine learning to create cost and program delivery plans to identify the most effective implementation for an individual asset, site, or portfolio.
With pressure intensifying from multiple stakeholders – including communities, governments, regulators, customers, employees, and investors – mining operators must act urgently and swiftly to outline the steps they are taking to decarbonize their operations.
Learn more at engineeringnetzero.com
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
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