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Mining towards net zero

The industry’s ambition is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Overview

In October 2021, the MCA confirmed the industry’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in support of the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The MCA and its members launched the Climate Action Plan in 2020 as a clear commitment to do the work needed to achieve net zero emissions.

This ambition can only be achieved through significant investment in technology. Member companies are proactively adopting or considering a range of existing and emerging technologies.

Members have identified the following actions to reduce reductions at scale (greater than 100,000 tCO2 per annum):

  • Energy efficiency initiatives
  • Replacing current energy sources with renewable energy
  • Carbon capture and storage
  • Additional flaring and gas capture equipment
  • Flaring of underground emissions
  • Ventilated air methane (VAM)
  • Abatement (subject to safety considerations)
  • Electrification
  • Funding medium-longer term negative emission technologies

 

Member Climate Announcements

The MCA Climate Action Plan details how the industry is taking action co to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Listed below are is a snapshot of member company announcements with respect to climate change and reducing emissions:

Anglo American

November 2022
Anglo American sources 100% renewable electricity supply for Australia operations

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Anglo American

May 2022
Anglo American unveils a prototype of the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mine haul truck – a vital step towards reducing carbon emissions over time

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Anglo American

December 2021
Anglo American and Aurizon look to hydrogen-powered trains in Queensland

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Anglo American

November 2021
Anglo American and Komatsu rehabilitation partnership plants 14,000 trees

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Anglo American

October 2021
Anglo American working with industry partners to improve technology for capturing dilute VAM to deliver effective methane abatement without compromising operational safety

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Arafura Resources

November 2021
Arafura Resources completes independent GHG emissions audit of Nolans Project

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Aurizon

December 2021
Aurizon and Anglo American look to hydrogen-powered trains in in Queensland

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BHP

March 2023
BHP and Hatch commence design study for an electric smelting furnace pilot

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BHP

February 2023
BHP trials renewable fuel at Yandi

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BHP

November 2022
BHP unveils first fully electric Jumbo at Olympic Dam

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BHP

November 2022
New wind and battery project in South Australia

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BHP

September 2022
First large-scale Port Hedland solar battery hybrid project

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BHP

June 2022
New BHP grants to support blue carbon market

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BHP

April 2022
BHP Nickel West secures wind farm power for Southern operations

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BHP

February 2022
Jobs boost as construction begins on Northern Goldfields solar and battery storage project

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BHP

February 2022
BHP extends low carbon steel research partnership with the University of Newcastle

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BHP

January 2022
BHP orders four battery-electric locomotives for WAIO rail network

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Glencore

April 2022
Glencore and General Motors enter multi-year cobalt supply agreement

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Glencore

April 2021
China Huaneng Group and Glencore sign MOU on CCUS project

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Newcrest Mining

December 2020
Newcrest Renewable energy PPA to help deliver 20% reduction in emissions

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Newmont Australia

November 2021
Newmont and Caterpillar announce revolutionary strategic alliance to achieve zero emissions mining

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Newmont Australia

December 2020
Newmont Announces $500 Million Investment to Address Climate Change

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Perenti

November 2022
Perenti and ABB agree to jointly explore solutions to help mining customers decarbonise operations

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Rio Tinto

November 2022
Rio Tinto plans further investment in renewable energy in the Pilbara

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Rio Tinto

November 2022
Scania and Rio Tinto agree to develop autonomous haulage solutions supporting a pathway to lower emissions mining

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Rio Tinto

October 2021
Rio Tinto and Bluescope to explore low carbon-steelmaking pathways

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Rio Tinto

July 2022
Rio Tinto and Ford sign MOU for battery and low carbon materials supply to support net-zero future

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Rio Tinto

January 2022
Rio Tinto to buy electric locomotives for Pilbara

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Rio Tinto

October 2021
Unveils new target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50 per cent by 2030

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Rio Tinto

October 2021
Rio Tinto targets low-carbon steel production with new technology

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Rio Tinto

September 2021
Rio Tinto teams up with Caterpillar for zero-emissions autonomous trucks

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Whitehaven

September 2021
Whitehaven invests in developing internal emissions tracking system

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Whitehaven

October 2021
More than 300,000 trees planted across Maules Creek biodiversity offset properties

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Yancoal

November 2022
Yancoal partners with Green Gravity to study feasibility of gravitational energy at Austar mine

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Economic Policy

Australian mining is a nation builder and global leader. It is Australia’s largest exporter, company tax payer and investor in infrastructure.

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Workforce, innovation and skills

A highly skilled and technologically advanced future workforce will be required for the specialist mining occupations coming online.

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Trade and Investment

Trade, investment and economic co-operation maximise opportunities for Australia’s mining and minerals processing industry to boost national income, generate government revenue and create high value jobs.

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Safety and health

The safety, health and psychological wellbeing of the mining workforce is the industry’s number one value and commitment.

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Energy and climate change

To achieve net zero emissions, Australia requires a stable policy framework enabling all low emissions technologies to participate in competitive decarbonisation of the economy.

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 Workplace relations

Australia needs a modern and adaptable workplace system that attracts investment, drives sustainable wage growth, supports communities and contributes to national prosperity.

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Sustainability

The Australian minerals industry is committed to responsible mining through continual improvement of environmental stewardship and social performance and by contributing to sustainable development.

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