Addressing the Challenge of Sustainable Mining

The Problem

While there is a clear path to creating zero-carbon mining, the pace of change still needs to be improved. The latest UN report on climate change shows that the overall curve of global emissions is bending downward, but not enough to reach the 1.5°C target before the end of the century. According to the report, the current pledges could put the world on track for about 2.5°C of warming over this period, a scenario that could have “devastating consequences”.

The mining industry contributes 2 to 3 percent of global CO₂ emissions and has a prominent role to play in emissions reduction. Within the industry, much of the focus to date has been on portfolio shifts (that is, divestment of coal assets); however, the industry is facing increasing pressure from regulators, investors, and customers to decarbonize operations. In recent years, major mining companies have announced more investment in decarbonization solutions, such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and battery storage systems.

Proposed Solution

The XTRACT project seeks to introduce the novel concept of the Zero Emission Mine of the Future, which aims to minimize GHG emissions through process changes and innovative technologies for sustainable and decarbonized extraction. The XTRACT technological pathways to a lower mining emission future address well-identified emission-intensive points of the current mining value chain.

Key Innovations

• Automation and Precision Mining: Introducing automation in mineral prospecting and extraction, and the novel concept of precision mining for selective recovery of valuable metals from low-grade minerals and mine wastes.
• Remote Sensing and Monitoring: Scaling and deploying remote sensing systems and analytical resources to allow systematic and remote monitoring of “hard-to-access” mining sites and waste deposits.
• Green Technologies: Introducing low-TRL green technologies of phytoextraction and phytoremediation, particularly appropriate for mining waste piles and abandoned sites, using specifically chosen tree groups and hyperaccumulator plants.
• Resource Utilization of Tailings: Adding a highly innovative new alternative to the toolbox of how stockpiles and tailings are assessed, leading to more accurate resource estimates, better process design, improved waste management, more accurate financial planning, and improved safety.

Through its groundbreaking work, the XTRACT project is poised to make a significant impact on the mining industry, contributing to the EU’s sustainability goals and setting a new standard for resource recovery and environmental stewardship. By addressing the challenges of sustainable mining, XTRACT aims to pave the way for a greener, more efficient future in resource extraction.