Introduction
The thursday, october 26, 2021 the Regional Event was held in a semipresential manner. Contributions from energy efficiency and mining to COP 26The second in a series of six events on mining and climate change organized by the Raw Materials and Climate Project (MCCP).MaPriC) with the support of the LEDS LAC platform. The MaPriC project is a project implemented by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) of Colombia together with the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Colombia. The event was attended by 72 people from Colombia, Peru, the United States, Argentina and Ecuador, among others, who attended virtually and 28 in person.
The first panel presented the contributions of the mining and energy sector to the fulfillment of climate goals. They presented Mauricio Pereirarepresentative of the Sustainable Development Policy Unit of ECLAC; Rodrigo Rodriguez TornquistSecretary for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Innovation of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina; Sandra SandovalVice Minister of Ministry of Mines and Energy of Colombia; Brigitte Baptistethe rector of the EAN University; y Rodrigo VasquezAdvisor to the Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency Program and the MaPriC Project at GIZ Chile. The second panel showed the opportunities and progress in the implementation of climate action in the mining and energy sector. Presentations were made by Pedro OviedoInnovation, Improvement and Transformation Manager, Innovation, Improvement and Transformation Manager of Cerro Matoso (Colombian mining-industrial company leader in the production of nickel contained in ferronickel); Maritza BaezaSustainability Manager of Cerro Negro (a Chilean copper producer); and Constanza Arayaresearcher at the AMTC - Advanced Mining Technology Center of the University of Chile.
Key messages
First Panel: Contributions of the mining and energy sector to meeting climate goals
Regional perspective
Globally, the trend suggests that there will be greater demand for metals and minerals due to the decarbonization of various energy matrices, non-conventional renewable energies and electromobility. In Latin America, the mining sector can help boost the economies of several countries in the region.
In the mining sector, most greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from energy consumption and transportation, being these industries where mitigation efforts should be focused. In addition, a natural resource governance model that promotes the participation of stakeholders with multiple visions should be promoted.
Environmental sector perspective
While climate action is fundamental, the environmental issues associated with mining are significant. The traditional challenges of mining, such as possible impacts on ecosystems, struggles for water and soil resources, remediation of environmental liabilities, and informal and illegal mining, cannot be forgotten. Therefore, any climate policy and action in the sector must recognize them, consider them and seek co-benefits. In addition, participatory policies must be integrated into mining.
Mining sector perspective
In order to achieve the commitments of the mining and energy sector, it is necessary to involve all stakeholders (public and private sectors, civil society and academia) and strengthen collaboration, dialogue and exchange of experiences.
From a climate perspective, mining in Colombia presents an asymmetric condition: While the contribution of GHG emissions from the mining sector to the national inventory is limited, it is a sector that depends significantly on the extraction and production of coal, which is an important emitter in the energy sector.
Academic perspective
The rupture between science and policy is present on almost all fronts, not only in climate change issues. Frequently, private sector companies come to the academy seeking to bridge very specific knowledge gaps and pose challenges related to mine closure, carbon neutrality, land use planning, compensation and adaptation measures, etc. However, there is no link to convert these experiences into policies, and there are no ways for the knowledge of the academy to reach civil society or the authorities.
Academic perspective
The rupture between science and policy is present on almost all fronts, not only in climate change issues. Frequently, private sector companies come to the academy seeking to bridge very specific knowledge gaps and pose challenges related to mine closure, carbon neutrality, land use planning, compensation and adaptation measures, etc. However, there is no link to convert these experiences into policies, and there are no ways for the knowledge of the academy to reach civil society or the authorities.
Private sector perspective
In Chile, the mining industry maintains a great importance as it has the raw materials required by the new global trend towards sustainable development (e.g. Chile concentrates 28 % of the world copper production share). As mining is intensive in energy, fuel and water, Chile has proposed several strategies to lead mining companies to work with 100% electric energy from renewable sources. In relation to water consumption, the use of seawater, water recirculation and internal water treatment has increased.
Panelists' messages for COP26
Second Panel: Opportunities and progress in the implementation of climate action in the mining and energy sector
Cerro Matoso (Colombia) currently has a climate change committee and has worked with the EAN University on adaptation mechanisms and capacity building. In parallel, they are working with the ministries of Mines and Energy, Environment, and with the MaPriC project. In addition, they have adopted ISO 50001 and incorporated it into their own context. They have not only considered certification as such, but also the opportunities it offers. In this regard, they changed their lighting fixtures for high-efficiency ones at the plant and integrated a fleet of 12 electric buses into their operations.
Cerro Negro (Chile) is a Chilean copper producer, inaugurated in July 1944. This company is aligned with the institutional and legal framework of the country and also implements the ISO 50001 standard. Between 2010 and 2011 they were audited in relation to energy management in medium mining, where energy and fuel consumption were systematically recorded for each of their processes. As a result of this audit, engines were changed and technological and lighting improvements were made in the different facilities. Finally, in 2020 they joined the first energy efficiency network and in 2021 they calculated their Carbon Footprint with the support of GIZ.
The AMTC - Advanced Mining Technology Center of the University of Chile has developed a tool to measure emissions from mining activities, as well as to present some projections. However, there are not many specifications on the sources and categories of emissions that the mining company should calculate. While at the national level, Scope 1 and 2 emissions are well characterized and studied, the tool has managed to include Scope 3 as well. As a result of this inclusion, it was identified that Scope 3 emissions became more than half. Most of the initiatives focus upstream and on production, but it is necessary to integrate all the links in the value chain. End-of-life innovation must also be integrated.
Panelists' messages for COP26
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