International Energy Forum says mining is the ‘paradox’ at heart of quest for clean energy but recognises the industry is addressing sustainability issues.
The International Energy Forum (IEF) says the quest for renewable energy and electrification is a “paradox”, with mining at its heart.
In a blogpost, the IEF says the growing demand for renewable energy technology and electrification “presents a paradox”.
It adds that, while these technologies are critical for achieving net-zero targets, their production relies heavily on mining for critical minerals — “an industry that can have harmful environmental and social impacts”.
The IEF is the world’s largest international organisation of energy ministers, and has 72 member states.
It continues: “Mining operations are widely recognised for their significant resource demands and substantial environmental footprint but by its very nature, mining disrupts the natural environment.
“Poorly regulated, large-scale operations can lead to habitat destruction, pollution, soil degradation, resource depletion, toxic waste, and community disruption.”
The IEF says that the mining industry “acknowledges the imperative for change” and recognises it is “proactively pursuing more environmentally responsible and ethically sound operational frameworks”.
It points out that global recognition of eco-friendly mining practices has “been evident at major international gatherings”, mentioning key events along the sustainability timeline, including the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development.
It adds that the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) “continues to champion sustainability initiatives across the sector, with support from 79 member nations”.
The IGF supports governments in their quest to advance good mining governance and to optimise social and financial benefits in large and small-scale mining operations.
The IEF cites the following key strategies that the mining industry needs to integrate into mining operations to make them sustainable.
Sustainable operational practices
Innovative approaches to tailings management, including the reprocessing of residual metals from previous extractions, are minimising waste and environmental impact. Rigorous waste management protocols are crucial for averting potential disasters.
Tailings are a by-product of mining. After ore is mined from the earth, the mineral is extracted in a processing plant or mill, and the resultant waste stream is termed ‘tailings’.
Tailings became a huge issue after the 2015 collapse of the Vale and BHP Billiton Fundão iron-ore tailings dam in the south-east of Brazil. This caused a giant mudslide that killed 19 people and spread pollutants along 668 kilometres of major watercourses. It also displaced 700 people.
Vale was also involved in the even more catastrophic Brumadinho dam disaster of 2019, when a tailings dam at the Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine failed. A total of 270 people died as a result of the collapse
Post-Mining Restoration
Comprehensive land rehabilitation strategies, encompassing reforestation and waste remediation, aim to reverse the environmental impacts of mining activities. Enhanced engagement with local communities can mitigate negative effects and potentially yield positive outcomes.
Renewable Energy Adoption
Leveraging the very technologies they support, mining operations are increasingly transitioning from coal-based power to renewable energy sources, significantly reducing their carbon footprint.
Nations like Chile, Mauritius, and South Africa are at the forefront of implementing renewable energy at mining sites.
The global mining sector has already deployed 1GW of renewable capacity, with an additional 1GW in the pipeline, signalling a robust shift towards cleaner energy alternatives.
Carbon Capture and Sequestration
Advanced carbon capture and storage technologies offer promising avenues for industry decarbonization. Emerging techniques, including enhanced mineralization processes, may even enable mining operations to achieve carbon-negative status by trapping and storing carbon dioxide, effectively neutralising their greenhouse gas emissions.
Technological Advancements
Cutting-edge technologies are revolutionising mining sustainability. These innovations enhance mineral transportation efficiency, minimise waste generation, and improve emergency response capabilities.
Furthermore, they contribute directly to environmental protection through optimised waste management, water conservation, and energy efficiency. Precision drilling techniques, for instance, allow for more targeted and less disruptive extraction processes.
The IEF concludes: “As global demand for minerals and metals continues to rise, the methods employed in their extraction will play a pivotal role in environmental conservation efforts.
“Fostering sustainability in the mining sector through progressive policies, enhanced operational practices, and technological innovation will be instrumental in facilitating a successful transition to a low-carbon future.”
About the IEF
The International Energy Forum (IEF) is the world’s largest international organisation of energy ministers from 72 countries and includes both producing and consuming nations. The Forum’s biennial Ministerial Meetings are the world’s largest gathering of Energy Ministers.
In addition to its unique global platform, the IEF has a broad mandate to examine all energy issues including oil and gas, clean and renewable energy, sustainability, energy transitions and new technologies, and data transparency as well as providing focus to the critical issue of energy poverty.
Originally founded 30 years ago as a forum to facilitate dialogue between member producing and consuming countries from OPEC and IEA, the IEF now has more member countries than those two organisations combined and from all regions of the world.
Notably, the IEF has several large non-aligned countries including China, Russia, India, South Africa and Argentina.
