Abstract
Abstract There is presently overwhelming scientific consensus that global climate change is indeed occurring, and that human activities are the primary driver. An increasingly resource and carbon constrained world will continue to pose formidable challenges to major industries, including mining. Understanding the implications of climate change mitigation for the mining industry, however, remains limited. This paper presents the results of a feasibility study on the implementation of a clean development mechanism and greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission reductions in the gold mining industry. It draws upon and extends the analysis of a case study conducted on gold mining operations in Thailand. The results from the case study indicated that total GHGs emissions by company A were approximately 36,886 tons carbon dioxide equivalents (tCO2e) per annual gold production capacity that meet the eligibility criteria for small-scaled clean development mechanism (CDM) projects. The electrostatic separation process was found to release the lowest amount of GHGs, whereas comminution (i.e. crushing and grinding) generated the highest GHGs emissions. By scope, the emission from purchased electricity (scope 2) is the most significant source. Opportunities for CDM projects implementation in the gold mining sector can be found in employing energy efficiency measures. Through innovation, some technical efficiency and technological development in gold processing (i.e. high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR), vertical roller mills (VRM), gravity pre-concentration and microwave heating technologies) that have the potential to reduce energy use and also lower carbon footprint of the gold mining were further discussed. The evidence reviews found that HPGR and VRM abatement technologies have shown energy and climate benefits as electricity savings and CO2 reduction of about 8-25.93 kWh/ton ore processed and 1.8-26.66 kgCO2/ton ore processed, respectively. Implications for further research and practice were finally raised.
Highlights
Global climate change poses a fundamental threat to sustainable development and human security in the 21st century
There have been several efforts made by international partnerships to reduce or remove collective greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, including emission trading (ET), joint implementation (JI) and the clean development mechanism (CDM)
By combining these insights, mining management is definitely needed to reduce point sources of pollution, GHG emissions that contribute to global climate change
Summary
Global climate change poses a fundamental threat to sustainable development and human security in the 21st century. The International Council of Mining and Metals has recognized the particular impacts of GHGs as the most concerning environmental issue, without a doubt, to face the mining industry [7] By combining these insights, mining management is definitely needed to reduce point sources of pollution, GHG emissions that contribute to global climate change. Reviews of the literature on current status of CDM projects in Thailand, gold mineral resources of Thailand and the emissions of GHGs from industrial production process are firstly provided. As of October 2013, Thailand has implemented about 221 CDM projects that have been issued a Letter of Approval (LoA) by the TGO, with expected average annual carbon credits of about twelve million tons carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).
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