Decarbonization in mining refers to the strategic and operational transformation of mining activities to reduce, minimize, or eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the entire mine value chain, from exploration and extraction through processing, logistics, and closure, in response to global climate commitments, regulatory requirements, investor expectations, and the physical risks posed by climate change. In bauxite and alumina operations, decarbonization efforts target the substantial energy consumption of the Bayer process for alumina refining, typically powered by fossil fuel-fired boilers and co-generation plants, through initiatives such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving process thermal efficiency, and exploring green hydrogen as a substitute fuel for high-temperature calcination kilns. Gold mining decarbonization strategies focus on electrifying underground and surface mining fleets with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), transitioning processing plants to renewable electricity grids, optimizing blasting practices to reduce explosive use, and implementing carbon offset programs through land rehabilitation and conservation projects. Iron ore mining and steelmaking represent one of the most GHG-intensive industrial sectors globally; decarbonization of iron ore mining involves supplying high-grade ore suitable for direct reduction iron (DRI) processes that use green hydrogen instead of coking coal, reducing haul truck emissions through trolley assist systems, and powering beneficiation plants with renewable energy. In diamond mining, decarbonization involves electrifying underground equipment, sourcing renewable energy for surface operations, and reducing the Scope 3 emissions associated with supply chains and customer distribution networks. Mining companies increasingly report decarbonization progress through frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), setting science-based targets aligned with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C pathway.
