PROFILE
and build better relationships . They need to communicate more effectively and foster cooperation among communities , labor unions , businesses , governments , special interest groups , and investors . It won ’ t be easy : all over the world there continues to be confrontations between governments and miners . But companies that crack this code stand to win in the long run . Beyond de-risking their projects and helping the communities at large , they turn stakeholder management from merely a compliance effort into lasting competitive advantage .
• BEING A RESPONSIBLE MINER CAN OFTEN PROVE KEY IN DETERMINING THE SUCCESS OF A MINING COMPANY AND MORE AND MORE MINING COMPANIES ARE STRIVING TO DO MORE ON THIS FRONT , BUT HOW BIG A ROLE DO YOU FEEL IT WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE OF THE MINING INDUSTRY ? There is no doubt that concerns about mining have been and continue to be on the rise . From clean water to safety to greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions , the issues communities are raising are ongoing and the mining industries ’ response will be critical in determining how big a role it will play in their futures . Miners must sharpen their focus on environmental sustainability and energy management . A lower energy footprint represents more than the right economic answer ; it ’ s also the right solution for the communities and environments integral to the mine .
Evolving technological innovations can enhance miners ’ energy transformation , with advances enabling fuel substitution ( i . e ., replacing diesel with sustainable energy sources ), electrification of equipment , and a growing capacity for energy selfgeneration . Add in analytics that enable optimized energy use , and the potential for greater efficiency is multiplied . New technologies are also allowing for reduced water use , with several companies exploring dry processing mine designs that eliminate the need for water entirely . And sensor-based ore sorting is helping to identify minerals and waste prior to extraction , vastly reducing the amount of water and energy used at the pre-concentration stage .
12 June 2017