Posted by Paul Moore on Nov 28, 2022
Global gold miner Agnico Eagle Mines has just published its 2022 Climate Action Report, first released in connection with its Net-Zero emissions by 2050 aim. Chairman and CEO Ammar Al-Joundi states: “Our climate mitigation strategy is integrated with our business strategy and it revolves around three strategic pillars: performance; pipeline; and people.”
He adds: “We will focus on what we are good at to, FINDING technical and innovation solutions to complex problems—namely hiring technology to grow our energy efficiency, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and decarbonize our operations — and we Vol put the human and financial capital in the place to align our actions with our commitments. Looking to the future, we expect decarbonisation to be one of those the key criteria by which possible mergers or purchases will be made at Agnico Eagle.”
Agnico Eagle’s approach to addressing climate change has accelerated in recent years in accordance with the scope and urgency Problem. In 2021, the Board of Directors approved Agnico Eagle’s commitment to achieve Net-Zero by 2050 and formal support of TCFD. Add: “In the 2022, we you proud to announce that A Intermediate Net-Zero objective of 30% reduction a Absolute scope 1 and Goal 2 emissions by 2030 (based on 2021 levels) have was also approved. Our interim issues reduction target It is defined as a absolute reduction in the the Amount of Aplication domain 1 and Scope 2 GHGs emitted into the atmosphere from us operations in the target year relative to the base year.”
In line with its Net-Zero ambition, the miner has conducted preliminary modeling in 2021 and 2022 to Enable us to define the key actions and objection Necessary for her The interim target for 2030 and the Net-Zero transition target by 2050. “Our modeling identified Three primary areas of concentrate over all our operations — Energy Efficiency, Technology Transition, and Grew regenerator Energy, via both Agnico Eagle has developed renewable energy solutions and through transition to renewable energy sources expected on our public electricity grids.”
Energy efficiency solutions concentrate on identification timely and reducing its site-level energy use. “We measure our energy Purpose 1 and 2 and monthly fuel consumption to communicate and rate the sitelevel efficiency metrics. In the 2021 and 2022, we driving decarbonisation and energy mapping workshops for each site to identify possible reductions timely and Help define the investment necessary.”
project identified include energy management systems, heat recovery systems, ventilation on demand projects, increased tire pressure monitoring and various other energy efficiency initiatives. The initiative identified were prioritized for investment or further study based on their potential and alignment with our climate strategy. This one at the moment wait A potential benefit of reduce 40 ktCO2e per year of 2030 over our portfolio from energy efficiency and optimization projects.”
Looking in more detail at Technological Transition initiatives, these classified as generally focused technological transition projects on electrification of material manipulation equipment and use of alternative and types of more sustainable fuels. This includes implementing cart support at Gold mine detour, an increase in the use of BEVs where they are commercially available and replacing part of the use of diesel with renewable diesel or biodiesel combustible. This one at the moment is expected A potential benefit of reduce 150 ktCO2it’s per year until 2030 in its portfolio of technological transition projects.
About the electrification, the company stated: “In Canada, our Macassa mine in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, was a industry leader in the adoption and use of BEVs. Since 2011, Macassa was an early adopter of battery powered electric spoons and now uses them 22 spoons and six battery electric trucks. At our Detour Lake mine in northeastern Ontario, we recently completed concept studies of an autonomous transport system and the adoption of Trolley-Assist Transport time schedule for our LOCATION fleet. The Trolley-Assist the program showed a positive NPV and ESG impact with annual potential carbon reductions of up to 96 ktCO2e (which can be up to almost a third of our live broadcasts expected at Detour). Our technical services team is currently running a pre-feasibility study to help us fully understand BENEFITS of bringing this electrification technology to detour Lake.”
Agnico Eagle adds: “We you also test Two of the the first Sandvik bAter electric itchargers operating in the world at our LaRonde mine in Cadillac, northwestern Quebec and our Fosterville Mine in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Our Kittila mine in northern Finland participated in Sustainable Intelligent Mining Systems project, under the most in the European Union expanded research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020. Our role in the project was to test three battery-powered mining machines developed and manufactured by Epiroc, a Boomer E2 Battery drilling rig, an MT42 battery Minetruck and a Scooptram with ST14 battery.”
Regarding the reduction of energy consumption at its locations, iIn Finland, Agnico Eagle has engaged in Energy Efficiency agreement and the Kittilä mine team has developed Energetic efficiency initiative to reduce It is overall energy needs and costs. For example, waste heat from oxygen plant and processing activities is used for heating all the buildings of the mining site, as well as its underground facilities. The site has also automated its ventilation system helps to reduce the consumption of liquid propane gas and electricity. “Our LaRonde complex in Quebec was introduced ventilation on demand at its LZ5 mine while opting for ventilation-on-plan at its LaRonde mine. While both focuses on reducing energy consumption for ventilation, the the first Enable for the management of Underground real-time remote surface ventilation needs, while the latter enables management ventilation based on the weekly work plan. complex also use A the heat recovery system to It is new sterile filtration installation for heating the building in winter.“
At the Meliadine Mine in Nunavut, in the Canadian Arctic territory, the Agnico Eagle relies on diesel fuel for power, and as such, this find creator ways to efficient use and reuse the energy product At the scene. For example, ultra-efficient generation produces energy to run the process plant and other facilities. The heat discharged from these generators is recovered through a heat exchange system which in turn is used to heat the camp facilities and the building with multiple services where the maintenance store and the most office you located.