PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The first progress report from the Minerals Council of Australia’s (MCA’s) Climate Action Plan has shown that the mining industry’s current emission reduction actions had the potential to reduce annual emissions by some 30%.

The progress report details the status of measures developed in the Climate Action Plan launched in June 2020 and the progress made to date, drawing on publicly-reported emissions data and a survey of full MCA members reporting to federal compliance schemes.

“While all MCA members are committed to the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, well over three-quarters of surveyed members’ 2020 emissions are covered by companies committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” said MCA CEO Tania Constable.

“A similar proportion is working towards aligning corporate reporting with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Disclosures (TCFD), which is supported by the MCA and aims to improve and increase company reporting of climate-related financial information.”

Constable said that a more sustainable minerals sector was not only important in providing the prosperity crucial to Australia’s post-Covid recovery, it was also helping to sustain and improve the lives of millions around the world.

“Australian mining is essential in providing the critical raw materials which are necessary for modern and emerging economies to flourish in a decarbonised future,” she said.

The progress report highlights 12 case studies on how the industry is taking practical climate action, including the rollout of renewables, carbon capture and storage development, methane capture and conversion, electric and autonomous vehicles investments, battery storage and hydrogen trials and exploration efficiencies.

The examples include gold miner Newcrest Mining contracting for more than 40% of its Cadia mine’s projected energy demand from 2024 with wind energy providers, as well as Newmont’s $500-million investment in climate change initiatives.

Diversified miner BHP has also struck a deal for renewable energy supply aimed at halving emissions from its Queensland coal mine energy use, while Rio Tinto has deployed solar photovoltaic and battery storage at Gudai-Darri in Western Australia, which is estimated to reduce emissions by 90 000 t/y.

Gold miner Kirkland Lake Gold is also investing $75-million each year for the next five years in environmental technology centres aimed at further reducing its carbon footprint through technology and innovation, while methane captured at Anglo American’s Moranbah North, Grosvenor and Capcoal underground metallurgical coal mines is being used by nearby power stations to generate more than 140 MW of electricity per annum, or enough to power 90 000 homes.

Furthermore, AngloGold Ashanti is also upgrading its current diesel haul fleet at its Tropicana gold mine by trialling a fleet of six new electric haul trucks to reduce diesel consumption.

“The progress report shows the industry is committed to developing the technologies and processes necessary for decarbonisation and identifying the necessary investments and pathways to reduce emissions,” said Constable.