22 SMe Mining engineering handbook

1,500

Actual Forecast

1,200
Rest of
World
Million Metric Tons

900

600

China

300

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Source: Albanese 2008.

figure 1.3-1 Seaborne iron ore imports

of mining deeper ore bodies and lower ore grades, possibly in Table 1.3-1 growth in China’s share of global consumption
more challenging geopolitical environments. of metals (%)
Efficiencies must be found in all operational areas, from 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007e* 2011e
exploration to extraction. The solution to efficiency improve-
ment lies in the development and implementation of new and Aluminum
innovative technologies. Companies that innovate are more China 15 16 19 20 22 25 31 41
likely to be rewarded with lower costs, improved competitive USA 22 22 21 20 20 18 15 12
positions, superior returns to shareholders, and sustainable
Copper
businesses.
And the mining industry must deliver these outcomes in China 16 18 20 20 22 23 24 26
an environmentally sustainable way. The planet is warming USA 18 16 15 14 14 12 11 11
because of human activity. Atmospheric levels of greenhouse
iron ore
gases are increasing. The mining industry is not insulated
China 30 32 34 39 46 51 53 54
from the effects of global warming, and we must play our part
in dealing with it. As miners, we must take sustained action to USA 5 5 5 4 4 3 3 3
reduce the environmental impact of our operations. We have Source: Albanese 2008.
no choice. If we do not reduce the size of our footprint, those *E = estimate.
who are in a position to give us a license to operate will no
longer do so. Our aim must be to achieve both zero emissions
and zero net energy consumption. A suite of technologies that our house be in order, but we must ensure, through better com-
could support such a vision is under development. munication, that the wider community knows it is.
All of this must be achieved in a world where stakeholder Finally, while innovation may hold the key, today’s new
consultation is assumed and affected communities benefit technology could well be next year’s standard practice, so
from mining activities through and beyond the life of a mine. innovation must be a continuous process through the eco-
Consultation with local communities and other stakeholders nomic highs and lows. A cultural change is needed. The goal
must continue to evolve through all stages of a project, includ- is an environment in which workers constantly seek new
ing the ultimate mine closure. This necessity increases as the and better ways of doing things and in which innovation is
search for new tier 1 reserves takes exploration to less acces- rewarded. New ideas must be continually developed and nur-
sible and more sensitive remote areas, often in Third World tured. The same systems and cultural changes that brought the
countries. world higher quality, better customer service, and improved
The mining industry works under intense scrutiny, and safety can drive innovation in the mining industry.
rightfully so. We live in the information age. People are more The challenges are universal and demanding—the
informed, and information is available to many people at the increasing demand for commodities; grades and their decline
touch of a button. They are aware of the environmental chal- with time; mineralogy and the need to handle more complex
lenges confronting this and future generations. They are more ores; the need to find new reserves; disposal and minimizing
likely to act on what they see and take action against those of wastes; and the availability of water, power, and skilled
who do not accept that the risks to our future are real and labor. These challenges are combined with increasing expec-
against those who act irresponsibly. We must deal with the tations from the community and concerns about sustainabil-
intense scrutiny that comes with this new age. Not only must ity and safety and climate change, forcing a more targeted