Climate Action 2011-2012

dioxide emissions by 1.7 million tonnes between 2011
and 2018. This project is a prime example of how mining
companies can channel their technical expertise towards a
sustainable and market-friendly outcome.
energy eFFiciency And new
technologieS
In South Africa, mining companies are faced with growing
environmental concerns, proposed carbon taxes and rising
electricity prices. Because commodity prices are set on global
markets, these pressures have to be absorbed by companies,
with negative implications for their competitiveness.
Currently 17 per cent below government targets on energy
use, AngloGold Ashanti is faced with the challenge of
keeping within these limits while expanding its operations.
As a result it has channelled its resources into developing a
cutting edge energy savings system.
The majority of a deep underground mining company’s
electricity consumption is taken by compressed air systems,
ventilation fans and refrigeration – essential when working
at higher temperatures underground. AngloGold Ashanti
has undertaken a number of whole system improvement
projects, one of which is the optimisation of their air
compression network using a hi-tech computer simulation
program, investing R5 million (US$ 635,704). It will result
in an annual electricity saving of 2.7 megawatts, roughly
equivalent to 25 kilotonnes of CO 2
emissions.
AdApting to chAnge
Climate change adaptation must also play a part in the
global response. The effects of a changing climate can be
visibly felt across the African continent – with altered
water levels, shrinking forests and soil erosion evolving at
an alarming speed. East Africa is currently experiencing its
worst drought in 60 years. Climate scientists suggest the
frequency and duration of these events will continue to
increase over time, highlighting the need for countries to
develop climate resilience.
66 affordable homes for
employees have been built
from the gypsum waste.
Anglo American and BHP Billiton have developed
an award-winning partnership with the eMalahleni
municipality in South Africa to address water shortages
and mitigate the threat of pollution. The eMalahleni Water
Reclamation Plant – situated in the Witbank coalfields of
South Africa’s Mpumalanga province – has successfully
harnessed the power of coal mining for a sustainable and
socially beneficial outcome.
Originally developed to address operational, safety and
environmental challenges, the plant desalinates rising
underground water from Anglo American Thermal Coal’s
Landau, Greenside and Kleinkopje collieries, as well as from
the closed BHP Billiton South Witbank coal mine. It not
only prevents polluted water from entering local rivers, but
treats 30 megalitres of potable water each day, the bulk of
which is pumped directly into the municipality’s reservoir.
This meets about 12 per cent of the city’s water needs.
A daily by-product of the water reclamation is 200 tonnes
of gypsum-based solids, and this has been used successfully
to make bricks. So far, 66 affordable homes for employees
have been built from the gypsum waste and it is hoped that
it will soon be expanded to a total of 300 residential units.
The project has been recognised as an example of good
practice in public-private sector partnerships by UNFCCC.
moving ForwArd
Climate change responses must not have an adverse
effect on the social and economic development goals of
African countries. Instead the measures must complement
sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction while
enhancing countries’ readiness to adapt to climatic changes.
This means that policies may vary country to country, or
even within a country.
ICMM members are committed to working with African
governments to develop robust policies and regulations that
are appropriate for the local context. The Council advocates
an approach that helps both exposed populations and
industries in this transition, and encourages the development
and use of low-carbon technology.
Effective climate policy can only be implemented in
partnership: neither governments, companies, nor civil
society can solve these challenges alone.
Dr R Anthony Hodge is the President of the International Council
on Mining and Metals (ICMM). An appointed Professor of Mining
and Sustainability at Queen’s University, Canada, he has previously
been the President of Friends of the Earth Canada. He served on the
National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE)
from 1992-1996. Through 2001 and 2002 he led the North American
component of the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development
(MMSD) project, a multi-stakeholder research initiative that examined
the role of mining, metals and minerals in a sustainable future.
The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) was
established in 2001 to improve sustainable development performance
in the mining and metals industry. Today, it brings together 21 of the
world’s largest mining and metals companies as well as 32 national
and regional mining associations and global commodity associations.
Our vision is one of leading companies working together and with
others to strengthen the contribution of mining, minerals and metals
to sustainable development.
ICMM, 35-38 Portman Square
London W1H 6LR, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7467 5070 | Email: info@icmm.com
Web: www.icmm.com
91 climateactionprogramme.org