Monday 11 October 2021

Australian mineral industry commits to net zero by 2050

The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has confirmed the industry’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Its members have taken action including:

• Newcrest procuring 40% of its Cadia mine energy from wind energy providers.
• Newmont investing $500 million (£367m) in climate change initiatives.
• Kirkland Lake Gold investing $75 million (£55m) each year for the next five years in environmental technology centres.
• AngloGold Ashanti replacing its diesel fleet at its Tropicana gold mine with electric trucks.
• Rio Tinto deploying solar PV and battery storage technology, estimated to reduce carbon emissions by 90,000 tonnes per year.

The MCA has revealed that many more of its members are beginning to take action to mitigate climate change and the emissions output of the industry.

It stated: “A more sustainable minerals sector is not only important for Australia’s post-COVID recovery, it is also helping to sustain and improve the lives of millions around the world, providing the critical raw materials necessary for modern and emerging economies to flourish in a decarbonised future.”