1. sustainable development
Realising mineral the
MEM takes a look at the sustainable development mechanisms that have been put in place in Aus
C
ASE studies that demonstrate how the various
elements of sustainable development are being
implemented across the Australian mining and
minerals processing industry are well documented.
Lessons learned from these are that environmental
and social improvements at operation levels, and within the
“An important communities in which they operate, can realise short- and
long-term economic benefits.
means for making The most commonly-used mechanisms for implementing
sustainable sustainable development across the case studies surveyed
BY TURLOUGH GUERIN
were the cleaner production elements of technology modi-
development fication and on-site recycling (or re-use) of wastes, as well as In 2004, the MCA released a framework for sustainable
operational is stakeholder engagement. development called “Enduring Value”, which further underpins
through the use of The scope of the sustainability agenda fully integrates
ecological, social and economic objectives in a way that
the Australian industry’s commitment to sustainable
development. Enduring value was based on the ICMM’s ten
cleaner production provides both challenges and opportunities for the mining principles of sustainable development published in May 2003.
approaches” industry. Sustainable development in the minerals industry Putting these principles into action has been a challenge for
means that investments should be profitable, technically the industry globally and in Australia, and much has been
appropriate, environmentally sound and socially responsible. achieved in meeting it.
The Australian mining industry, through the Minerals This article summarises the findings from a survey of 13 case
Council of Australia (MCA) (a member of the International studies across Australia’s industry that show how sustainable
Council of Mining and Metals; ICMM), introduced a code of development can be successfully implemented at the opera-
practice in 1996 to facilitate greater environmental stewardship tional level of a mining or minerals-processing operation, using
across the industry. cleaner production tools and stakeholder engagement.
TABLE 1: CASE STUDIES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLEANER PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA’S MINERALS INDUSTRY
Case-study focus Minerals sector Company and location Summary description of case study (activity and outcome)
Air emission reduction Aluminium Comalco Aluminium Ltd (Rio Tinto) Use of dry-scrubbing technology led to A$11 million in savings and
Bell Bay Smelter – Bell Bay, Tasmania contributed significantly to the local community.
Dust management Lime Blue Circle Southern Cement Plant modifications enabled removal of fine dusts from the process and
– Marulan, NSW the collection of the limestone dust for sale as a by-product.
Energy and materials Industrial Tiwest Joint Venture Pigment Plant Modified process to recover synthetic rutile uses waste acid from
efficiency minerals – Kwinana, Western Australia neighbouring company to produce ammonium chloride for use in
pigment production.
Iluka Resources Ltd Synthetic Adopting technology to capture waste heat power and installed
Rutile Plant – Kwinana, Western Australia an electrostatic precipitator. Generated 6.5 MW returning 16% on
capital saving A$1.5 million/y.
Coal BHP Billiton Coal – Illawarra region, NSW Capture of coal-seam methane and piping it to surface where it
generates 94 MW of energy through electricity generation
(energy for 60,000 homes).
Energy Xstrata’s Mount Isa Mines Program of innovations enabled opening of new mine, increase capacity
– Mt Isa, Queensland while cutting electricity use, CO2 emissions and delaying demand for
new power station.
Water efficiency Steel OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks Reed beds were introduced for treatment of industrial waste water to
– Whyalla, South Australia reduce water consumption and increase quality of discharged water.
Copper and BHP Billiton Olympic Dam Mine Production processes were modified so less water is used in flotation/
uranium – Roxby Downs, South Australia separation; recycling acid and saline water from mine tailings for drilling
and dust control.
Waste minimisation Aluminium Alcoa Portland Aluminium Reduction in waste going to landfill by evaluating processes, through
– Portland, Victoria gaining the commitment of its workforce and combining with waste
minimisation concepts.
Integrated sustainable Aluminium Alcoa World Alumina Implemented range of cleaner production initiatives at bauxite mines
development – various locations in Western Australia and alumina refineries, led to saving of about A$0.5 million annually.
Gold JV between Delta Gold & Placer Dome Developed range of sustainability practices, taking holistic approach to
Granny Smith Mine mining. Created opportunities for indigenous communities and reduced
– Laverton, Western Australia landfill waste.
Oxiana Golden Grove Operations Initiatives reduced pollution and landfill waste, improved energy
– Western Australia efficiency and reduced greenhouse-gas emissions, and improved
rehabilitation processes.
Diamonds Argyle Diamond Mine (Rio Tinto) Mine was threatened with closure in 2001 but is still operating in 2006 as
– Kununurra, Western Australia a result of efforts by management implementing a range of initiatives.
12 Mining Environmental Management March 2006
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2. heories ‘down under’
ce in Australia’s mining and minerals-processing industry
A SURVEY OF AUSTRALIAN
CASE STUDIES
Table 1 provides a summary of how
sustainable development is being
implemented in Australia from
the outcomes from the 13 case
studies surveyed. The case studies
presented cover a wide range of the Cleaner production
environmental, social, community and
business issues facing modern mining
operations in Australia.
The studies demonstrate:
■ That a wide range of companies,
representing a cross-section of the
mining and minerals-processing sector, Product Input Technology Good Onsite
have embarked on the sustainable modification substitution modification housekeeping recovery
development journey.
■ That there is a need for an
integrated response by mining
companies to the environmental, First tier: Second tier:
social and economic impacts at their source reduction recycling and re-use
operations. This includes a co-ordinated
internal effort within the organisation
to implement sustainable development
but also across the industry. WAYS TO EMBED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Above: Five cleaner production
■ The financial, environmental and social benefits of An important means for making sustainable development approaches. Cleaner production
implementing sustainable development initiatives can be operational is through the use of cleaner production aims at making more efficient
significant, particularly when the impacts are considered across approaches. Cleaner production is a preventive strategy, and to use of natural resources (raw
a mine and the region in which it is operating. improve its success in contributing to a business’ sustainability, material, energy and water)
■ Different operations face different challenges, depending it should be linked to the core activities of the business. The and reducing the generation
on the location of their operations, and indicates the need elements of cleaner production, as applied to the mining and of wastes and emissions at
for mining operations to work with the natural environment the minerals industry, are summarised in table 2 (p14) and the the source. This is generally
in their area. For example, the BHP Billiton Olympic Dam case diagram above. achieved through a combination
study illustrated measures undertaken to improve water Cleaner production is an environmental improvement of product modification, input
efficiency in remote regions, which suffer water shortages. strategy, which leads to specific solutions applicable to substitution, technology
■ The importance of mining operations working with and any given business. However, cleaner production also modification, good housekeeping
providing employment for indigenous communities. This is draws upon, and is linked to social and economic drivers. and (on-site) recycling and reuse
becoming an increasingly important expectation for many Cleaner production is one of a number of ways in which an
mining companies striving to be sustainable. organisation can move toward sustainable development and
■ Cleaner production and stakeholder engagement are the its success is linked to both internal and external stakeholders
key mechanisms for embedding sustainable development of a mining or minerals processing organisation.
initiatives. Continued on page 14
March 2006 Mining Environmental Management 13
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3. sustainable development
Continued from page 13 development in the case studies are given in table 3. Based on
Cleaner production complements life-cycle analyses (LCA), an analysis of these case studies, the following observations
product stewardship programmes and initiatives, as well as can be made about the use of cleaner production, LCA, product
social ‘tools” including stakeholder engagement. Stakeholder stewardship and stakeholder engagement in the Australian
engagement, which has become more and more important in minerals industry:
the global mining industry, is now being recognised by mining ■ Technology modifications, including process equipment
managers as a critical tool, enabling them to operate their redesigns and on-site recycling (or recovery), are the most
mines. The type of stakeholders relevant to mining operations common applications of cleaner production tools with more
Copper being smelted at WMC include local, state and federal governments, communities, than 60% of the 13 case studies using these approaches.
Resources Ltd’s Olympic Dam suppliers and customers. The way in which these relationships ■ Stakeholder engagement was an important approach
Copper mine, South Australia, within and external to an operation are managed, is critical as used with more than 50% of case studies demonstrating its
where cleaner production these will impact upon all initiatives to enhance the operation’s important role.
technologies have been future viability. ■ Resource use optimisation was also an important cleaner
integrated effectively The main mechanisms for implementing sustainable production tool, with 46% of the reported case studies
using this as a major means of implementing sustainable
Photo: Bloomberg News
development initiatives. This included optimisation of how ore
resources and other process raw materials are used, as well
as improvements in how other inputs were used including
energy sources and chemical reagent inputs into downstream
processes.
■ Input substitution, good housekeeping, LCA and product
stewardship were less prominent; under 35% of case studies
demonstrated that they were used for contributing to
sustainable development at mining and minerals-processing
operations.
■ Pigment production at the Tiwest joint venture in Western
Australia demonstrates an example where numerous tools for
implementing sustainable development were effectively used
in an integrated manner.
■ Coal-seam methane capture at BHP Billiton’s operations
in the Illawarra region of NSW, and efficient waste use at its
Olympic Dam operations in South Australia, both demonstrate
operations where cleaner production technologies and
stakeholder engagement have been integrated effectively.
HIGHLIGHTS AND TAKE-HOME MESSAGES
The case studies highlight the following about implementing
sustainable development in Australian minerals industry:
■ Mining and minerals companies in Australia are putting
Continued on page 16
TABLE 2: GENERIC APPLICATIONS OF CLEANER PRODUCTION IN THE MINING AND MINERALS INDUSTRY
Cleaner production element Application
Mining Minerals processing
Resource use optimisation Improved separation of overburden and Sequential leaching to recover multiple
other wastes/materials to produce minerals/metals from ore
higher-purity ore
Enhanced modeling of orebody to optimise Conversion of process wastes and emissions
ore recovery into useful by-products
Sourcing customers to match range of Residue processing into geochemically-stable
grades ores produced forms for storage with minimised impact
Input substitution Fluids selection for operating plant in process Use of environmentally-friendly reagents
and non-process areas and process auxiliaries
Technology modification Efficient mine design to minimise minerals Alternative metallurgical processes
movement during operation and for closure (eg biotechnological)
In-pit milling and separation Use of energy-efficient fixed/mobile plant
Design of mine refuelling and lubricant Application of fuel-efficient furnaces
dispensing facilities to enable lowest cost and and boilers
safe supply to mobile plant
Enhanced monitoring and control of
leaching and recovery processes
Good housekeeping Monitoring and benchmarking of haulage Use of inventories to manage and control all
fleet fuel efficiency inputs into process
On-site recycling Composting of green wastes to produce Recovery and reprocessing of un-reacted
heat/steam generation ore from processing waste
Reuse of overburden/waste rock in progressive Counter-current use of water for washing
rehabilitation of mine site operations
14 Mining Environmental Management March 2006
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4. sustainable development
Above: Illawarra Coal produced Continued from page 14 contributing to a region’s economic and social well-being.
6.07 Mt of saleable coal in sustainable development into operation at their sites. The ■ Water-efficiency improvements will be needed by
2004-05 extent to which this is being done varies from operation to any mining company planning to remain viable in future,
Above right: dust suppression at operation and it is reasonable to state that no one operation particularly in Australia where water is major limiting resource.
Illawarra Coal’s product stockpile, reviewed has implemented a fully sustainable operation. Similarly energy efficiency improvements will also be
Port Kembla Coal Terminal ■ Environmental and social improvements at operations important.
and communities in which they operate, can realise economic ■ At the operations level, there needs to be clear commit-
benefits and will not always incur a major financial cost for ment from senior management to make the case for change to
a mining operation or its corporate function. For example, a more sustainable mining or minerals-processing operation.
improvements to waste-management practices and waste Such commitment is needed if effective operation-wide
prevention can lead to cost reductions and often increased engagement and participation is sought for a sustainable
revenues. development initiative.
■ Local communities provide the means by which a mining ■ Mining companies need to work closely with other
or minerals-processing operation can realise its full potential in businesses (eg neighbours and others processors and
manufacturers in minerals supply chain) and suppliers to
identify new processes, products and knowledge that will
increase the sustainability of their businesses. For example,
there were relatively few examples where a mining operation
had engaged explicitly with suppliers to enhance its own move
towards sustainability. This suggests that there are barriers
to the current way in which suppliers are engaged by mining
operations and that these barriers need to be overcome before
the benefits to sustainability, of closer engagement with
suppliers, will be realised.
Right: Tiwest’s pigment processing
plant is where numerous Turlough Guerin works for Shell’s Commercial Fuel business in
tools were effectively used for Sydney, and supports the mining and heavy industry marketing
sustainable development in an and sales team in Australia. He can be contacted via e-mail at:
integrated manner turlough.guerin@shell.com
TABLE 3: A COMPARISON OF THE 13 CASE STUDIES AND THE SPECIFIC TOOLS EMPLOYED AT EACH OF THESE
Australian mining case studies
(Argyle Diamond Mine, Western Australia)
Tools and
(Tiwest Joint Venture, Western Australia)
(Golden Grove Mine, Western Australia)
(Granny Smith Mine, Western Australia)
(Portland Aluminium Smelter, Victoria)
approaches
(Olympic Dam Mine, South Australia)
Integrated Sustainable development
Integrated Sustainable development
Integrated Sustainable development
(Iluka Rutile Plant, Western Australia)
Integrated sustainable development
used
Coal-seam methane utilisation
Efficient-energy management
(OneSteel, South Australia)
(Blue Circle Cement, NSW)
(Alcoa, Western Australia)
Efficient-water utilisation
Efficient-water utilisation
Air emission reduction
Waste heat utilisation
Xstrata, Queensland)
(Comalco, Tasmania)
Pigment production
Waste minimisation
(BHP Billiton, NSW)
Dust management
Cleaner Production
Resource use optimisation ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Input substitution ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Technology modification ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Good housekeeping ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
On-site recycling (recovery) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Life-cycle analysis (LCA) ■ ■ ■ ■
Product stewardship ■ ■ ■
Stakeholder engagement ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Note: major (■) and minor (■) emphasis of the particular tool or approach evident from the case studies
16 Mining Environmental Management March 2006
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5. March 2006
Counting the cost of
managing HIV/AIDS in
South Africa
Theory into practice:
sustainable development
in Australia
Reducing emissions from
China’s coal mines
MEM0603.indd 1 22.3.06 1:13:14 pm