– To drive sustainability and efficiency
Lagos — Mining companies are increasingly adopting sustainable strategies, such as low-carbon smelting and advanced recycling programs, to reduce their environmental impact and boost efficiency.
These innovations optimize resource use and lower operational costs by enhancing metal recovery and minimizing waste. Despite challenges like high initial investments, ongoing technological advancements are steering the sector toward more sustainable mining practices, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Likith Togita, Senior Analyst of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, comments: “The transition to sustainable mining practices is enhancing operational effectiveness. Advanced smelting technologies enhance metal recovery and produce higher purity materials, allowing mining companies to maximize the value of their ore while minimizing waste. Meanwhile, recycling programs facilitate the recovery of metals from previously discarded materials, creating a more sustainable approach to resource management in the industry.”
GlobalData’s FutureTech Series report, “Digging deeper into sustainability: key disruptive forces in mining Vol.4,” highlights the latest developments, deals, and real-world innovations for low carbon footprint mines and circular economy in the mining industry.
Pennsylvania-based mining company Alcoa announced plans in February 2024 to supply Nexans, a Paris-based company in the cable and optical fibre industry, with low-carbon aluminum rod produced using ELYSIS technology, which eliminates all direct GHG emissions from smelting and emits oxygen as a byproduct.
Sumitomo Metal Mining announced plans in April 2024 to establish recycling facilities at the Toyo Smelter & Refinery in Saijo City and the Niihama Nickel Refinery in Niihama City, Japan, to recover copper, nickel, cobalt, and lithium from used lithium-ion batteries and other materials.
Rio Tinto unveiled a $1.1 billion investment plan in June 2023 to expand its AP60 aluminum smelter at Complexe Jonquière, Canada, which features low-carbon technology.
Togita concludes: “Advancements in smelting technologies reduce energy consumption and operational costs, while recycling initiatives reduce waste and decrease dependence on primary resource extraction, contributing to a more sustainable industry. Challenges like high initial investments and the need for skilled labor exist, but the ongoing innovations promise to enhance accessibility and drive the sector toward greater sustainability.”
