What is the Zero Emission Mine of the Future initiative?

The Zero Emission Copper Mine Of The Future is a global project to create cleaner, greener & smarter copper mines.

The project started in 2020 and has so far produced two reports with The Warren Center:

1. An overview report "Zero Emission Copper Mine of the Future" (2020)
2. The Water Report (2021)
3. Material Movement Report (2022)

Three more Roadmaps are planned on discovery, ventilation, and mineral processing covering a total of five impact themes.

The overview report the five impact themes for the Zero Emission Copper Mine of the Future as well as five enabling levers, which are developed for three horizons:

1. Horizon 1: current operations and incremental improvements
2. Horizon 2: asset upgrades and capital expenses
3. Horizon 3: future operations

Pull quote: "A zero-emission copper mine of the future will be significantly different from the current copper mining system and will require fundamental changes in how energy is consumed, sourced and abated." ~ The Warren Center

The Water Report addresses water management in mining operations and works out six innovation themes along the three horizons:

1. Base line measurement
2. Dewatering
3. Desalination
4. Operational water use
5. Tailings
6. End use and reuse

The Materials Movement Report introduces one of minings foundational processes and introduces five innovation themes along three horizons:

1. Fragmentation
2. Convey and sort
3. Haulage
4. Dispose and reuse
5. Digital and automation

More information: https://copper.com.au/about/projects/zero-emission-copper-mine-of-the-future/ 

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Last update: March 17, 2023