Decarbonation is at the heart of the mining industry’s concerns. It has a major impact on the choice of projects, developments, and technologies used to develop and operate mining projects. To achieve their ambitious carbon emission reduction targets by 2030 and 2050, mining companies are making significant efforts to transform their existing and future operations. The aim of this session is to highlight these efforts by presenting completed and ongoing projects, as well as new technologies for achieving decarbonation targets. In particular, the introduction of new equipment and new circuits in mining operations, new technologies and approaches integrated into new mining projects, and new technologies under development aimed at energy efficiency and carbon emissions reductions will be presented.
Decarbonation in the Extraction and Beneficiation of Ore
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Room 304AB - Société du Plan Nord
1:30 p.m.
The North Shore’s Iron Production: The First Link in the Global Low-Carbon Steel Production Chain
High-purity iron—which ArcelorMittal produces on Quebec’s North Shore region and enters the manufacturing of low-carbon steel—will become increasingly sought after in Canada and around the world. Whether we think of wind turbines, solar panels or electric vehicles, high-purity iron plays a crucial role in projects that will collectively help us achieve a lower-carbon economy.
Beyond the exceptional quality of iron produced on the North Shore, ArcelorMittal is currently implementing a series of measures to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions and thus decarbonize at the source the iron that will be used for steel production.
This presentation will be an opportunity to explain these different measures, including the implementation of a flotation system at ArcelorMittal’s iron pellet plant in Port-Cartier, the substitution of fossil fuels by bioenergy and the deployment of innovative energy efficiency measures.
You will learn how ArcelorMittal intends to use its expertise and resources to help make Quebec and the North Shore world leaders in the energy transition and decarbonization of steel.
An overview of Nouveau Monde Graphite’s ambitions and plan towards a net zero mine. Will review the organizations vision, actions, plan and strategic partnerships established to achieve this goal.
2:35 p.m.
CIRCUIT: a training center for innovation and research on carbon utilization in industrial technologies
Université Laval
CIRCUIT (Center for Innovation and Research on Carbon Utilization in Industrial Technologies) is a training center funded by NSERC whose main objective is the training of highly qualified people on the decarbonization of Quebec and Canadian industries through CO2 utilization. These decarbonization processes make it possible to transform CO2 emissions into value-added products. Since its creation in 2020, this center, whose 11 members come from Université Laval, Polytechnique Montréal, INRS, Memorial University and Queen’s, has contributed to the training of more than 40 students on the issues of sustainable development and CO2 utilization. Opting for a multidisciplinary approach between chemists, chemical engineers, mining engineers and economists, the team members from CIRCUIT are studying different approaches to reduce the emissions of their industrial partners, particularly in the mining sector. This presentation will focus on the nature of the training for students offered by CIRCUIT and on the various collaborative projects that have been carried out with our industrial partners.
3:15 p.m.
Decarbonizing the mining industry: innovations for a sustainable future
The mining industry, which is essential to the supply of raw materials for various sectors, is facing a major challenge: the reduction of its CO2 emissions. The industry is a major source of pollution due to its energy-intensive processes and extensive use of fossil fuels. Decarbonization is therefore becoming a priority for mitigating environmental impacts, while meeting the expectations of investors and legislators in terms of sustainable development.
This session explores the technological advances and emerging strategies that can help reduce the sector's carbon footprint. Renewable energy innovations, the use of biocarbon and alternative biofuels represent promising avenues for the transformation of the industry.
The circular economy also plays a pivotal role in this transformation. Recycling materials and managing mining waste are vital solutions to minimize the extraction of new resources and the associated emissions. The development of innovative resource management and energy efficiency practices also contributes to the extended lifespan of mining infrastructures, while reducing their environmental impact.
Alongside technical advances, collaboration between mining companies, governments and local communities is crucial. The reinforcement of public-private partnerships contributes to the implementation of incentive policies and stricter environmental regulations, while stimulating investment in green technologies.
This session will present concrete examples of the innovative and sustainable solutions implemented by Rio Tinto, while providing a forum for discussion of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The decarbonization of the mining industry is not only an environmental imperative, but also an opportunity for a cleaner, more profitable and equitable future.
3:45 p.m.
Decarbonization at Raglan Mine: Perspectives and Challenges
Raglan Mine operates in a unique environment that provides an equally atypical energy context. Located in the far north of Nunavik, this off-grid mining site operates 3 underground mines and produces nickel concentrate on site, which is then transported to its refining facilities.
The presentation will address the many technological, logistical and financial challenges involved in decarbonizing the site.