The Mining Industry and Climate Change

The Guidelines for preparing mine closure plans in Québec (MERN, 2017) states that the applicant must select the reclamation technique and design the structures that will remain in place after mining operations close, taking climate change into account. In order to take climate change (CC) into account, the climatic elements impacting the behavior of the reclamation method must first be identified. Next, we need to assess the influence of CC-induced changes on the method's ability to control contamination from mine tailings.In application, it is essential to integrate CC into all stages of the design approach, i.e.: 1) characterization; 2) site knowledge; 3) design; 4) construction and instrumentation; 5) monitoring and follow-up; and 6) reanalysis and adjustments. Obviously, the impact of climate change on so-called normal climatic conditions must be taken into account, and this impact on the performance of reclamation methods must be assessed. But the designer must also identify realistic extreme CC conditions to which the infrastructure will be subjected in the long term, whether in terms of extreme precipitation, wet years, extreme droughts or hot spells. They must ensure that even under these conditions, the reclamation method applied is capable of avoiding significant environmental contamination.

This presentation will discuss these aspects, illustrating them with case studies. Approaches aiming to determine normal and extreme conditions with CC will be discussed. Finally, current work to improve understanding and integrate climate change into mining site reclamation will be briefly discussed.

Agnico Eagle's business strategy provides the basis for responding to various risks and opportunities. Its approach to climate change is based on this strategy. Agnico Eagle's strategy in the face of climate change will be detailed, followed by concrete examples of projects to highlight the importance of flexibility and collaboration towards resilience and sustainability.

Nouveau Monde Graphite aspires to support the transition to a net zero world through its active anode material for batteries. Our business model is focused on climate opportunities by serving the energy revolution market and incorporating high ESG principles to ensure responsible production of environmentally friendly graphite products, from mining to advanced materials.

The design of the mining project is based on environmental choices in which the vulnerability of mining infrastructures to climate change has been considered during project conception. By managing tailings without retaining structures, progressive reclamation, deploying an all-electric mining fleet and implementing clean technology to transform graphite into anode material, NMG is putting forward initiatives to develop sustainable infrastructures and strategies for resilience and adaptation to climate change.

Already carbon neutral, we are working to ensure a complete transition towards Net Zero Emissions by 2030. NMG is committed to maintaining a carbon-neutral footprint at every stage of our development and is guiding our transition to Net Zero by tracking, reducing and offsetting our carbon footprint at every level. Notably, NMG has identified various strategies on the use of renewable energies, the transition from petroleum-based products to bioproducts and the integration of measures that maximize energy efficiency in its facilities and processes.

In order to offset the emissions it cannot eliminate at source, NMG deploys a progressive offset strategy based on the development of a portfolio of offset projects and the purchase of credible and verifiable carbon credits from projects that genuinely contribute to the reduction and/or sequestration of carbon in the atmosphere.

Climate change will have a major impact on the entire territory and on all industry sectors in Quebec and around the world, including the mining sector. The industry has already recognized the importance of limiting greenhouse gas emissions, and is taking a number of concrete actions. Reducing GHG emissions is one of the two aspects of the fight against climate change. The second - adapting to the consequences of climate change, which is already underway and is set to intensify - is also becoming inevitable for the mining sector.For mining operations, adaptation means taking action to limit the impacts, particularly on infrastructure, the company's economic spin-offs and its reputation. In order to implement adaptation strategies, this presentation will provide an overview of a structured adaptation approach that integrates an analysis of climate evolution, a risk assessment and an analysis of the measures to be implemented, while integrating the principles of sustainable development and social acceptability. Such an approach makes it possible to integrate climate risks into business strategy and seize the opportunities offered by this new climate reality.