Ian McCoy’s Post

Introducing our latest article shedding light on the transformative role of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the mining sector. Today's mining industry grapples with an unprecedented challenge: meeting the surging demand for critical minerals crucial for renewable energy technologies, all while adhering to stringent ESG standards and mitigating environmental impact. In this complex landscape, SMRs emerge as a viable solution, offering a dependable, emission-free energy source that aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Our article meticulously examines how SMRs can aid the mining industry in achieving its ESG objectives, mitigating environmental impact, and enhancing operational efficiency. Furthermore, we delve into the economic viability of SMRs and their pivotal role in ensuring responsible mineral extraction essential for renewable energy technologies. We extend a cordial invitation to join us at the 5th Energy Transition and Emission Reduction Summit for the Metals and Mining Industry, scheduled for June 11-12, 2024, in Helsinki, Finland. This summit offers an invaluable opportunity to delve deeper into the potential of SMRs in meeting ESG targets. Access the complete article here: https://lnkd.in/eRDfewFS #SustainableMining #SMRs #ESG #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #MiningInnovation #Decarbonization #CleanEnergy #EnvironmentalStewardship

Mining is energy-intensive and can require massive fluctuations in power demand. Data analytics and digital twins pave the way for mines of the future to not only achieve net zero, but potentially become net energy exporters, with distributed, peer-to-peer energy trading of renewable energy. #Resourceful #CSIRO 

IMDEX urges reprocessing mine wastes to help meet critical minerals demand Recovering and re-mining mine waste is a credible and potentially financially alluring prospect as the mineral intensity of the clean energy transition requires new solutions to avoiding supply shortfalls. The World Bank estimates that more than 3.0 billion tonnes of minerals and metals will be needed for the wind, solar, geothermal power and energy storage requirements of projects to be built to meet carbon reduction targets.

The IEF - International Energy Forum has just published a report title "Copper mining and vehicle electrification". It rightly points that copper is the metal of the energy transition, and that copper availability in the coming decades could be a bottleneck. However, the "solution" it proposes makes no sense: "changing the vehicle electrification goal from 100% EV to 100% hybrid manufacture by 2035". It rests on this claim: "Life cycle emissions for battery electric vehicles compared with hybrid electric vehicles are comparable with each other." But this is not the case, by far, and you don't find this information in the only paper by the ACEEEE they refer to on this. Although focussing on electric vehicle, the report makes another victim, net zero, with unproven claims relative to considerable consumption of copper in renewables, grids and storage. This is directly inspired from Michaux, as the authors recognise, and any energy expert knows how extraordinary misleading is the "study" by Michaux on the metals required by the energy transition. In sum, very bad work, confining to plain disinformation. Fatih BirolAlessandro Blasi Tim Gould Timur Gül Michael Liebreich Karim Megherbi Philippe Gauthier Emmanuel Hache Thomas Alan Kwan Olivier Vidal Pierre Audinet, PhD European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA)

A report from Climate Energy Finance has recommended implementing critical minerals technology to leverage Australia’s role in decarbonisation. #AustralianMining #resources #criticalminerals #decarbonisation #electrification #renewables #netzero #technology #investment #pilbara #westernaustralia

We have just published three more reports with videos from Energy and Mines Australia, 2024. 1. Cheap and clean. Is it possible? 2. Gas pricing and WA mine decarbonisation 3. Supporting mine decarbonisation. Keynote from the Government of WA DOWNLOAD REPORTS AND VIDEOS - https://lnkd.in/exyJxJHB Report 1: Simultaneously clean and green. Are these two outcomes fundamentally irreconcilable? Emilie Ditton from Schneider Electric discussed the challenges of decarbonising Australia's mining operations while managing high costs. Ditton explored whether decarbonisation and cost efficiency can coexist, proposing a three-step approach: strategize, digitize, and decarbonise. The report emphasizes reducing energy demand, transitioning to renewable energy, and leveraging digital tools to optimize efficiency. Additionally, it focuses on Scope 3 emissions, which often surpass Scope 1 and 2 in impact, and highlights Schneider Electric's initiatives to decarbonize the mining supply chain. (See image below from Emiie's presentation) Report 2: Gas Pricing for Mines in WA Gas Pricing and Mine Decarbonisation by Rick Wilkinson, CEO of EnergyQuest, focused on the gas demand, supply, and pricing dynamics in Western Australia (WA), particularly in relation to the mining sector's decarbonisation efforts. Wilkinson highlighted that gas is crucial for mining and electricity in WA, but supply shortages are expected post-2025. Upcoming projects, like Scarborough and the Perth Basin, may offer temporary relief, but supply constraints could return by 2028-2030, pushing prices higher. Wilkinson suggested that mines adopt a balanced energy strategy, combining legacy gas assets with renewable energy sources and technologies like carbon capture to reduce carbon footprint while ensuring energy security. Report 3: Keynote: Supporting Net Zero Mining Strategies The Hon. David Michael, Minister for Mines and Petroleum in Western Australia, emphasized the state's pivotal role in global decarbonisation due to rich reserves of critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Western Australia is rapidly developing a battery and critical minerals processing industry, supported by significant investments. The state aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, with over 90% of mining companies pursuing similar targets. Key initiatives include legislative changes to streamline green energy projects, support for carbon capture and storage, and financial incentives such as royalty relief and potential production tax credits. The presentation underscored the collaboration needed between government and industry to decarbonise mining and processing sectors.

Boliden, Freeport, Agnico - decarbonization strategy reports and videos Download - https://lnkd.in/em8Wkwh3 Our next set of reports and videos from this year's Energy and Mines Australia Summit are now available to read and watch. The Summit opening session included decarbonisation case studies from Boliden Mines, Freeport McMoRan and Agnico Eagle. Ottomar Brussee, Program Manager of Climate Impact at Boliden Mines, presented on the importance of scope 3 emissions, including key categories, innovative solutions, and cost savings. Jason Bowsher, Manager of Lifecycle and Decarbonisation at Freeport-McMoRan, presented three key themes: the challenges and strategies for transitioning to decarbonized mining, technological and operational limitations, and future directions and innovations. The third report and video features Agnico Eagle's Vice President, Australian Operations, Ion Honn, who outlined Agnico Eagle's climate goals and operations, their innovative electrification efforts and details on their focus on renewable energy

DOWNLOAD REPORT: Think Tank: Achieving a Decarbonised Mine https://lnkd.in/exyJxJHB On May 7th, Energy and Mines attendees held round-table discussions to distill the barriers and challenges of decarbonised mining. The think tank was hosted by Greg Koppens from Entura The conclusions of the Think Tank emphasized several key action points for accelerating mine decarbonisation, including: 1. Facilitating Interconnection and Updating Regulations: Energy regulators should facilitate the interconnection of mines and power grids by dismantling outdated rules that hinder progress. 2. Funding Technological and Training Gaps: Entities like Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) should fund technological gaps, particularly in long-term energy storage, and support the industry’s efforts to deploy the massive (low-carbon) power supplies needed for charging haul trucks after fleet electrification. Additionally, funding for training and knowledge programs is essential to help the current workforce transition to new technologies. 3. Encouraging Collaboration Among Major Miners: Major miners should be less adversarial and enter joint ventures to build infrastructure for common use, optimizing resource utilization and fostering innovation. 4. Promoting Public Awareness and Transparent Reporting: A messaging campaign to inform the public on mine developments surrounding decarbonisation, transparent and standardized sustainability reporting, and a stable regulatory environment that nurtures decarbonisation and encourages investments are crucial for building trust and ensuring long-term success. DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE - https://lnkd.in/exyJxJHB Madge Bright

It's fascinating to learn if high energy consumption countries are anticipating this development. At the very least, they should adopt some proactive policies for renewable energy and energy security: > Invest in sustainable mining practices: both governments and private sectors should prioritise investments in sustainable mining technology and practices. This involves sponsoring research and development (R&D) for more environmentally friendly extraction methods, recycling essential minerals, and using alternative materials. Countries that promote sustainable mining can maintain a steady supply of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel while reducing environmental impacts. Collaborations with mining corporations to improve sustainability initiatives will also help them retain their social license to operate in local communities. > Develop local supply chains for vital minerals: to lessen reliance on foreign sources, countries should prioritise developing local supply chains for vital minerals. This can be accomplished by exploring and establishing local mining enterprises, forming partnerships with private sector companies, and investing in infrastructure that supports mineral extraction and processing. By securing a local supply of important minerals, countries can reduce the risks associated with global market swings while also ensuring a continuous supply of energy transition technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems. > Strengthen international cooperation and trade agreements: strategic international partnerships and trade agreements should be formed to aim at ensuring access to essential minerals. Countries can form mutually advantageous partnerships with other nations that have significant natural resources to assure a consistent supply of vital materials for their energy needs. Establishing trade links with mineral-rich countries would not only improve energy security, but will also position these countries as essential players in the global renewable energy market. Implementing these measures should allow countries to efficiently negotiate the transition to clean energy, providing a secure and sustainable energy supply while also contributing to global efforts to reach net-zero emissions. https://lnkd.in/g8WZCBGc

The world is facing a shortage of the minerals needed to make the electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, and other clean energy technologies essential to ending its reliance on fossil fuels. The Paris-based International Energy Agency said in a report published Friday that steep drops in the prices of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite last year were “good news for consumers” but discouraged investment in the mining of those critical minerals. The world is on track meet only 70% of global copper demand and 50% of lithium demand by 2035, the agency added. “The world’s appetite for technologies such as solar panels, electric cars and batteries is growing fast — but we cannot satisfy it without reliable and expanding supplies of critical minerals,” Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director, said in a statement. Investment in critical minerals mining grew 10% last year, a rate the agency says is “healthy, but slower than in 2022.” The IEA forecast that investors would need to pour $800 billion into mining projects between now and 2040 to stand a chance of limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. https://lnkd.in/eA6_TJgC