MAC plans to reduce emissions

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) recently told federal, provincial and territorial mines ministers that it is stepping up efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canadian mining operations.

This year, CO2 emissions were 4.4% below 1900 levels for the Canadian metal-mining and non-ferrous metal-smelting/refining sector, making it one the country’s few industrial sectors to fall below the 1990 benchmark.

However, MAC predicts that, unless the industry takes further measures, the sector’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will be 5.6% above 1990 levels by 2010, assuming a modest 1%-per-year growth rate in the mining industry.

MAC is committing resources to produce innovations that will further improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.

In a report presented in early September to the United Nations, as required by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Canadian government said the country is not on track to reach its target of 6% below 1990 levels by the year 2010. Although growth in GHG emissions in Canada slowed to 1% between 1997 and 1998, they increased by 13% between 1990 and 1998.

MAC accepts that climate change is a serious issue that must be addressed. However, there is no consensus in the industrial community on the action required to reduce emissions, or on how quickly such action should be taken. Nevertheless, more and more mining companies have begun to see climate-change issues as a business opportunity that requires immediate action.

MAC has developed a plan to help Canadian mining companies reach their emission goals. A key component is a booklet entitled Strategic Planning and Action on Climate Change – A Guide for Canadian Mining Companies. The booklet, partially funded by Natural Resources Canada, was prepared by two Canadian environmental firms.

It includes procedures for the following:

– greenhouse gas emissions measurement and monitoring;

– greenhouse gas emissions control targets;

– internal financial signals to encourage emissions reductions; and

– reporting on climate-change activities internally, as well as to shareholders, governments and the public.

The plan also includes a benchmark study of energy consumption in large underground mines, which will help identify where energy efficiency improvements can be made.

— The preceding was written by the Ottawa, Ont.-based Mining Association of Canada.