Helena Joyce
Mining is responsible for 4 to 7% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Fugitive methane emissions from coal mining are estimated to represent 3 to 6% of this, while Scope 1 and 2 emissions from mining operations and electricity consumption total 1%. The mining industry has only recently begun to set emission-reduction goals, with targets ranging from 0 to 30% by 2030, far below the Paris Agreement goals. Greenhouse gas emissions from mining result in up to $3 trillion in damages worldwide each year, with 64% of these costs resulting from climate change. This paragraph will explore the contribution of the mining industry to greenhouse gas pollution and the efforts being made to reduce emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global GHG emissions contributed by the mining sector | 4-7% |
| Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions from mining operations and power consumption | 1% |
| Fugitive methane emissions from coal mining | 3-6% |
| Scope 3 (indirect) emissions, including coal combustion | 28% |
| Environmental damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions from mining | £2.5tn ($3tn) worldwide every year |
| Percentage of environmental costs resulting from climate change | 64% |
| Percentage of environmental costs resulting from extraction-related GHG emissions | 6.4% of global GDP |
| Greenhouse gas emissions from fugitive methane in GWP100 (100-year time frame) | 1.5 gigatons |
| Greenhouse gas emissions from fugitive methane in GWP20 (20-year time frame) | 4.6 gigatons |
| CO2 emissions from power consumption in the mining industry | 0.4 gigatons |
| Canada's ranking as a greenhouse gas emitter | 10th highest in the world |
| Canada's mining emissions in 2017 | 195MtCO2e |
| CO2 emissions from a large open-pit copper mine using 200,000 L/d of diesel | 200,000 t CO2e/y |
| CO2 emissions from open-pit mines per ounce of gold produced | 0.85 tCO2e |
| CO2 emissions from underground mines per ounce of gold produced | 0.40 tCO2e |
| Percentage of industry CO2 emissions from steel and non-metallic mineral products | 44% |
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What You'll Learn
Mining accounts for 4-7% of GHG emissions
Mining accounts for 4-7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This figure includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, which amount to 1% of the total, and fugitive methane emissions from coal mining, which make up 3-6%. Scope 3 emissions, which include coal combustion, are not included in this figure but make up a significant portion of global emissions, estimated at 28%.
The mining sector is facing increasing pressure from governments, investors, and society to reduce its emissions. While the industry has only recently begun to set emission-reduction goals, it is critical to lowering global carbon emissions across the broader economy. Mines can fully decarbonize by improving operational efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy use.
The majority of emissions in the mining sector originate from fugitive coal-bed methane released during coal mining, mainly at underground operations. Power consumption in the industry also contributes significantly, with open-pit mines generating roughly twice as much CO2 per ounce of gold produced compared to underground mines.
The extraction of mineral ores, such as coal, iron, and natural gas, and the production of steel and non-metallic mineral products, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The chemical reactions used to refine minerals, such as steel, also play a role in creating CO2 and carbon monoxide as byproducts.
The environmental costs of greenhouse gas emissions from the mining sector are significant, with damages worldwide estimated at up to £2.5 trillion ($3 trillion) annually. These costs include the health impacts on miners, such as respiratory diseases and skin disorders, as well as the loss of biodiversity due to habitat degradation.
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Fugitive methane emissions from coal mining
Mining is responsible for 4 to 7 percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Fugitive methane emissions from coal mining are estimated at 3 to 6 percent of global emissions. Coal seams naturally contain methane, which can be released during or after mining operations, and which is referred to as coal mine methane (CMM). CMM is released from underground coal mines through ventilation systems, drainage systems, and post-mining activities.
In underground coal mines, one method to reduce methane emissions is to recover and use ventilation air methane (VAM) to provide heat to mine facilities or for coal drying. Alternatively, thermal oxidation can be used to destroy VAM, although this can be expensive and technically challenging. Other methods to reduce CMM emissions include maintaining high combustion efficiency at flares, gas engines, and related equipment, as well as capturing fugitive emissions and routing them to abatement systems.
The mining industry has only recently begun to set emission-reduction goals, with current targets ranging from 0 to 30 percent by 2030, which is far below the Paris Agreement goals. To limit climate change, a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is necessary, and mines can theoretically fully decarbonize (excluding fugitive methane) through operational efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy use.
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Scope 3 emissions, including gas combustion
Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions that an organisation impacts, both upstream and downstream of its operations. For mining, this includes the upstream production of fuels used in mining operations, and the downstream smelting, refining, and manufacturing processes using the mined ore. Additional scope 3 emissions in the mining sector include gas combustion to process metals and emissions generated upstream for the production of mining equipment.
Scope 3 emissions are historically underreported and are the biggest decarbonisation challenge for mining companies. They contribute more than 95% of total emissions. The SBTi recommends that organisations include reducing scope 3 emissions as part of their net-zero commitment when scope 3 emissions make up over 40% of their cumulative scope 1, 2, and 3 total.
The mining sector will face pressure from governments, investors, and society to reduce emissions. Mining is responsible for 4 to 7% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Scope 1 and 2 emissions from the sector amount to 1%, and fugitive methane emissions from coal mining are estimated at 3 to 6%. A significant share of global emissions, 28%, would be considered scope 3 emissions, including the combustion of coal.
The majority of emissions in the sector originate from fugitive coal-bed methane released during coal mining, mainly at underground operations. Greenhouse-gas emissions from fugitive methane are estimated based on average methane emission factors published by the IPCC. Power consumption in the mining industry contributes 0.4 gigatons of CO2e.
To limit warming to 2°C, all sectors would need to reduce CO2 emissions from 2010 levels by 50% by 2050. To limit warming to 1.5°C, a reduction of 85% would be needed. Mines can theoretically fully decarbonise through operational efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy use.
A global tax on carbon emissions would provide a net economic benefit to the mining industry by raising demand in metals and minerals. This would accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources and the consequent demand for mined metals.
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Environmental costs of extraction industries
The extraction industries provide the world with fossil fuels, metal ores, and mineral resources. However, the environmental costs of these industries are significant. A study published in the Journal for Cleaner Production found that the total environmental costs of extraction industries amount to as much as £4tn ($5tn) every year. Of this, £2.5tn ($3tn) is attributed to greenhouse gas emissions, with the remaining costs attributed to particulate matter, acidification, land-use change, resource depletion, toxicity, and other factors.
The mining sector is responsible for 4 to 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, which amount to 1%, and fugitive methane emissions from coal mining, which are estimated at 3 to 6%. The combustion of fossil fuels is not included in these estimates, as it is difficult to attribute emissions to specific industries. However, it is clear that the mining industry contributes significantly to global emissions.
The environmental impacts of extraction industries go beyond greenhouse gas emissions. The extraction of precious metals, for example, can result in the release of acids, heavy metals, and other pollutants that can harm air quality, soils, and water bodies. These impacts can persist long after extraction activities have ceased, particularly at abandoned mine sites, which constitute some of the highest environmental risks in Europe.
In addition, the increased demand for materials and the move towards greater self-sufficiency within regions like the EU are likely to increase pollution from extraction industries. This is especially true for commodities such as metals, where substances in residual sludge can leach into water and soils. Oil and gas extraction can also cause significant pollution to air and water through venting and flaring operations, and sea-based extraction can cause pollution when slurry is returned to deep water.
The environmental costs of extraction industries are not always borne by the extracting countries themselves but are often externalized to society as a whole. This has led to calls for global carbon taxation, which could provide a net economic benefit to the mining industry by raising demand for metals and minerals. However, it is important to note that the mining industry has only just begun to set emission-reduction goals, and current targets are far below the Paris Agreement goals. To limit climate change, a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is necessary, and all sectors, including extraction industries, must contribute to this effort.
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Copper mining and climate change
Greenhouse gas emissions from mining and resource extraction result in up to $3 trillion in damages worldwide each year. The mining sector is responsible for 4-7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (from mining operations and power consumption) contributing 1%. Fugitive methane emissions from coal mining make up 3-6%.
Copper mining is particularly fuel-intensive. Chile, the world's largest copper producer, saw a 32% increase in electricity consumption per unit of mined copper from 2001 to 2017. This increase is largely due to decreasing ore grades, meaning more rock must be crushed to extract the same amount of copper.
A study of the proposed Twin Metals and PolyMet mines in Minnesota, USA, found that they would release around 5 million tons of CO2 through wetland and peatland destruction alone. The mines would destroy 912.4 acres of peatland, one of the most effective carbon sinks, releasing 2.5 million tons of CO2. The increased risk of mega-rainstorms due to climate change could also trigger an environmental catastrophe, with a potential 18% chance of toxic wastewater spilling over and contaminating the Boundary Waters.
In China, the environmental impacts of pyrometallurgical copper production are expected to more than double from 2010 to 2050, remaining the largest contributor to the environmental footprint. However, increasing the share of secondary copper production, improving waste copper recycling infrastructure, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources can help reduce environmental impacts.
The mining industry has only recently begun to set emission-reduction goals, with targets ranging from 0 to 30% by 2030, far below the Paris Agreement goals. Mines can theoretically fully decarbonize through operational efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy use, and global carbon taxation could provide an economic incentive to transition to cleaner energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
The mining industry is currently responsible for 4 to 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from mining operations and electricity consumption account for 1%, while fugitive methane emissions from coal mining are estimated at 3 to 6%.
The main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the mining industry include fossil fuel use, electricity consumption, and fugitive methane emissions from coal mining. Energy is a significant operating cost for mines, accounting for 25 to 35% of the industry's total operating costs.
The mining of certain materials contributes more to environmental damage than others. According to a study, the materials that contribute the most to environmental damage are iron (23%), coal (18%), magnesium (13%), crude oil (10%), aluminium (8%), and manganese (7%).
