ES
PERUMIN HUB MINING INNOVATION IN PERU
CHALLENGESENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
The main challenge of the expansion of mining activity lies in the level of sustainability that can be achieved. This is essentially based on the efficient use of natural resources, as well as its environmental footprint.
ESG criteria, which refer to environmental, social, and corporate governance factors, are positioning themselves in 2023 as the greatest risk and opportunity facing the mining industry. Topics such as water management, closures and rehabilitation, remain a significant challenge for the sector.
How to implement circular practices that allow for the valorization of resources and waste generated in the production process to reduce environmental impact and maximize efficiency and profitability?
The circular economy has become an increasingly popular trend to address the environmental and economic challenges of today's world. Instead of following a linear model of production and consumption, circularity proposes closing the life cycle of materials and resources, keeping them in use for as long as possible and minimizing waste and pollution. The implementation of circular practices can bring significant environmental, social, and economic benefits, and in this sense, the challenge arises of how to valorize resources and waste generated in the production process to reduce environmental impact and maximize efficiency and profitability. This challenge is particularly relevant in the context of mining in Peru, where extractive activity is an important part of the economy but also has a significant impact on the environment and local communities.
Value elements
Solutions focused on the valorization of effluent water in the influence zone.
Solutions that decrease or partially or totally replace the use of lime in metallurgical and water treatment processes.
Technologies that extend the life use of critical inputs: mill steel balls, tires, equipment oil, etc.
Use of non-contact water (which has not been touched by the metallurgical mining process, for example, rainwater).
Alternatives for injecting water into the aquifer in times of excess rainfall.
Revalorization of rejection water (water that contains salts, filtered from the treatment plant), without causing pipe scaling.
Solutions focused on the recovery of remaining mineral grades.
Solutions focused on the revalorization of tailings with non-metallic mineral concentration (pyrite, carbonates, silicates, etc.).
Revalorization of organic waste for energy generation or contribution to agriculture or other activities.
Revalorization of sludge by acid water treatment.
How to implement technologies in operations and in the supply chain that allow for carbon-neutral activity?
Mining is a key sector in the global agenda for sustainable development and climate change, not only through its role as a supplier of minerals and metals, essential inputs for the generation of clean technologies, but also as a change agent capable of incorporating new technologies that reduce carbon footprint and/or generate positive footprint, allowing for carbon-neutral activity.
Some energy alternatives that are being developed include wind, solar, and biodiesel energy, while green hydrogen is also being considered as one of the pillars in the energy transition. However, viable economic/technical alternatives for reducing carbon footprint are still needed.
Value elements
Technologies that not only reduce carbon footprint but are cost-efficient (considering energy storage, access to the mining area, as well as environmental conditions).
Long-term focus including alternatives for the use of rehabilitated areas and considering a reduction in energy costs in post-closure activities.
Consider improvement processes in the proper management of energy and the reduction of carbon footprint, such as those related to ISO 50001, in the solution.
Consider efficient measurement or quantification of carbon footprint as a key element for measuring improvement and generating a positive impact on the sector's reputation.
Synergy with other sectors or projects (e.g. reforestation, reduction of the impact of illegal mining), as well as solutions that consider the value chain (focus on suppliers).
Solutions that prioritize the use of alternative energies.
Solutions that include financial aspects as a value proposition (carbon credits, green bonds, others).
How to facilitate the optimization of water use and reuse in mining operations?
Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) has as one of its targets to substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
Value elements
Solutions focused on reducing consumption and losses (such as water evaporation). New technologies that do not require replenishing water or new hydrometallurgical processes that avoid water losses (losses due to evaporation/filtration) are valued.
Technologies that allow for measuring: i) water use, ii) water losses due to evaporation, filtration, and/or retention in tailings, iii) variables of quantity and quality based on the supply watersheds.
Circular economy-focused solutions that maximize the number of times water remains in the circuit, reusing it and admitting other types of water, such as groundwater.
Incorporating a water balance diagnostic approach with a watershed focus and climate change projection.
Aligned with Peruvian regulations that facilitate/enabling joint work with ANA.
Ensuring water quality during discharge and post-operations in a sustainable manner.
Taking advantage of different water sources, being efficient in water collection, and/or making use of undervalued sources.
Having a multisectoral vision, including, for example, the energy and/or agricultural and/or territorial sectors (not only the mine but also the water sources and direct and indirect influence areas).
Solutions that incorporate the diagnosis/measurement of the natural source (natural excesses in water quality) that validate initial conditions and facilitate exception parameter permits.
Solutions that facilitate the use of treated water before returning to the watershed and are self-sustainable.
Solutions focused on avoiding perpetual treatment.
Technologies related to better tailings management to reduce water footprint.
Solutions focused on the energy efficiency of pumping equipment.
Solutions for treating sulfate and acidic water.
