THE CHALLENGES OF ESG IN REMOTE MINES
By: Scott Bahr
Since quite a number of our clients at Bit Service are remote, we want to focus on the specific challenges of ESG in remote mines.
ESG references the Environmental, Social, and Governance factors used to evaluate how companies/entities are doing in their quest for greater sustainability. Now more than ever, we are seeing what is known as the “ESG agenda” becoming a major factor in driving change for the future. The low-carbon, eco-aware expectations of industries across the board are constantly increasing—and raising the bar for the standard status quo.
We´ll bring you some expert insights and proactive steps toward finding solutions when facing these challenges.
THE CHALLENGE OF GENERATING CLEAN ENERGY
Generating clean energy is no easy feat for remote mines. While mining companies recognize that the minerals and metals they produce are crucial for decarbonization and sustainable development—and they are keen on embracing this responsibility to minimize their impact on the environment—it is a huge responsibility.
One step that mining companies will need to take going forward is continuing to transition to electric vehicles and equipment as much as possible. One group, the International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM), which represents many of the world's largest mining companies, has made an official pledge which vows that their operations will reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It’s an ambitious goal, to say the least, and it relies heavily on this conversion from diesel to electric to (essentially) eliminate emissions.
But what’s going to be the most challenging facet of ESG for remote mines (not connected to the power grid) will be tackling the task of generating their own clean energy.
Right now there’s a strong focus on this matter in Saskatchewan, given the fact that we do have a very large uranium mining presence. That focus has led to tons of research and near-endless discussions surrounding what is known as small-to-medium reactors—a concept that has become a hot topic marketed toward remote mines.
SMALL MODULAR REACTORS
One step that mining companies will need to take going forward is continuing to transition to electric vehicles and equipment as much as possible. One group, the International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM), which represents many of the world's largest mining companies, has made an official pledge which vows that their operations will reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It’s an ambitious goal, to say the least, and it relies heavily on this conversion from diesel to electric to (essentially) eliminate emissions.
But what’s going to be the most challenging facet of ESG for remote mines (not connected to the power grid) will be tackling the task of generating their own clean energy.
Right now there’s a strong focus on this matter in Saskatchewan, given the fact that we do have a very large uranium mining presence. That focus has led to tons of research and near-endless discussions surrounding what is known as small-to-medium reactors—a concept that has become a hot topic marketed toward remote mines.
SMALL MODULAR REACTORS
By using small modular reactors, also known as SMRs, these mines would be able to essentially just use a dedicated, small-scale, safe nuclear reactor to power their mine, as opposed to having to use diesel generators.
SMRs are not only designed to be smaller in output and physical size, but they are also known to offer enhanced safety features. Another positive? They are specifically geared toward being modular, with maximum factory construction. This allows mines to scale them according to their specific energy needs, with electrical output ranging from an upper end of 300 MWe per module for grid-connected reactors, right down to 3 MWe per module—or even smaller for micro SMRs—for remote or industrial applications.
As well as aiding in the transition from diesel to electric, SMRs could also be utilized in hybrid energy systems to provide load-following power that would allow a higher penetration of intermittent renewables, paving the way for Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Even more promising results from SMRs include the ability to tackle thermal energy requirements, including process heat applications, district heating, desalination, oil extraction, or the GHG-free production of hydrogen. And speaking of being GHG-free, SMRs are also poised to ultimately provide secure GHG-free energy to our underserved areas, which would pave the way for new possibilities for further mineral deposit exploration and other mining project investments.
Bit Service is here to help you navigate every step of this process. After all, we know how important it is to work together if we are going to successfully rewrite our energy future. We firmly believe in the partnership and expansion of Canada’s diverse energy future, and we’re excited to see Saskatchewan’s continued role in this growth.