Environment

Emissions

Air quality

Air emissions are produced from mining and production activities. At MRM, we monitor:

  • dust from mining operations including blasting for the open pit, truck movements and loading and unloading of ore and overburden 
  • metals in soils on the mine site. 

There are other emissions from the on-site power station and mine vehicles such as sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds (released from industrial processes including natural gas combustion) and carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

However, because the mine is in a remote location, 60 kilometres from the nearest urban development, and there are no other industrial developments in the area, the concentration in the air of these emissions is minor.

Our management plan to address air monitoring issues includes a number of safeguards such as:

  • water sprays across work zones and unsealed areas to suppress dust 
  • dust control equipment installed on all major plant and equipment generating significant dust 
  • watering or using synthetic cover sprays on exposed surfaces and stockpiles as required.

A network of gauges around the mine site monitor dust levels in the air in line with the Australian Standard AS3580.10.1. The gauges measure dust deposition and suspended particulates. Results are considered in conjunction with meteorological studies of wind, rainfall and temperature.

We also conduct an annual survey of base metals in the soil on site.

 

Greenhouse gas

An annual greenhouse gas inventory for MRM has been compiled since 1998. This identifies energy use and provides a baseline emissions report using generic greenhouse gas (GHG) emission factors.

The main source of GHG at MRM is electricity generation. The use of diesel, other fuels and explosives in open pit mining also produce GHG.

While electricity generation is the highest contributor, the power station at MRM is natural gas-fired, which is one of the most GHG efficient fuels for generating electricity.

We have examined the impact on GHG emissions during the open pit development and for the period of 2008-2012 which is the first Kyoto Accounting Period.

Our forecasts show MRM’s GHG emissions will not increase in the long-term.

However, with improvements in our net greenhouse efficiency in our mining operations long-term, we forecast that GHG emissions per tonne of metal in 2008-2012 will actually be 7% lower than in 2004.

We plan to manage GHG emissions by:

  • becoming a signatory to the Greenhouse Challenge Program and improving reporting on emissions management 
  • improving energy efficiency on site 
  • continuing to use natural gas as our energy source for electricity generation.

 

Other areas of interest
Xstrata Zinc Australia Sustainability Report 2009
Media releases
McArthur River Mining Expands Concentrator Capacity, March 2007