WALSIM X​ - Tilting the​ Table Towards ​Zero Waste Mining​

Abstract

Society continues to require metals and materials as it transitions to a new, more sustainable economy. The imperative for the mining industry is to provide these materials, but it can’t do it the way it has been done in the past. The increasing environmental stress on natural air, land and water systems due to growing demand for metals is not sustainable without rethinking the approach to mineral extraction, processing, recycling and waste.

Key change drivers for the process industries include the energy transition, the circular economy, the need for value creation and political will. This transformation requires innovation at all levels from technology, to business strategy to market structure and policy.

This keynote provides strategic insight on how mining can create new value for society financially, environmentally, and socially. Re-examining process fundamentals, process intensities, the hierarchy of controls, and market structure under the lens of the new economy opens up new possibilities for value creation. Examples from commodities including Nickel, Lithium, Copper, Steel and Aluminum are given.