By Jake Harris

Seven Word Summary: Zero emissions in mining depends on communication.

Communications around critical minerals, decarbonisation, and ESG are dominating the dialogue across the mining sector.

There has been significant strategic positioning and investment into these topics and they have become indispensable for operators of various scales within the mining and broader resources sector.

However, in recent years, the general focus on decarbonisation has pivoted towards the ambitious goal of achieving a “zero-carbon” or “zero-emission” world. This lofty ambition is increasingly being used to set targets across international policies, national strategies, and individual sectors.

The mining industry is no exception.

Aligned with global sentiment, various groups within the industry have set out aspirations to achieve a supply chain that delivers zero carbon emissions for their operational activities.

This complex, long-term goal will require profound investment and careful nurturing from mining houses and their wide spanning supply chains, not to mention those that communicate such progress.

If one were to draw a comparison to other high value areas within a mining operation, such as the safe delivery of operations (safety), it is observed that the sentiment has shifted from an aspiration of achieving “zero harm”. Instead, a more nuanced focus is placed on considering the necessary steps to reduce potential safety events as much as possible, with the high-level goal aiming to be as close to zero as possible.

Blue collar workers have expressed concerns that aiming for absolute zero and the utilisation of this as a target can have negative consequences, due to the various factors outside an individual's control relating to a safe workplace. These concerns underscore the practical challenges in real-world applications of such ambitious targets.

It is not clear when “zero” first appeared on the scene as a goal for business, but recognised authors such as Manuele and Tarrants have challenged this position, arguing that a zero-incident rate is “impractical and unattainable”. Studies as early as the 1930s discussed that setting a goal such as zero can ultimately prove to be demoralising.

With this perspective, and following the example of many mining operators turning their backs on “zero harm” initiatives, it may be prudent for the sector to consider a similar reevaluation of its emission targets.

Zero emissions, while a commendable goal, potentially falls into the same psychological bucket as “zero harm” safety initiatives.

Is this goal truly attainable within a measurable timeline (Paris Agreement 2050 - that is 25 years from now!), considering the current technologies, global infrastructure, and external factors, including governmental policy?

Beyond this, the rigid pursuit of such absolute targets might overshadow practical, incremental improvements that could otherwise be more attainable and still yield substantial environmental benefits.

The significant investments that mining and other heavy industries are making into decarbonisation should drive us to deliver better environmental outcomes. Yet, it is crucial to balance these aspirations with the realities of operational capacity and technological progress.

A continuous and open dialogue across the whole sector, incorporating feedback from all stakeholders involved, is essential when considering more realistic benchmarks.

In other words, communication is integral to the future of mining, zero emissions or not.

An integrated communications approach will not only engage greater commitment across the industry but also ensure that the journey is one towards sustainability and positive outcomes for all involved.

About the Author

Jake Harris brings operational experience across mining, having worked as a surveyor across the UK, Ireland and Australia on multiple flagship projects.

Nowadays, Jake has turned his hand to technical writing and content creation across various channels.

His operational insights, technical knowledge and writing abilities allow a rare ability to deliver engaging and thought-provoking content.

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