Strategy to reduce GHG emissions for an iron mine

Tata Steel operates an open-pit iron mine about 20 kilometres northwest of Schefferville. Located on the border between Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador, the mining facilities are subject to regulations under both provinces. Since the government of Newfoundland and Labrador adopted a carbon pricing program in 2018, Tata Steel management asked BBA, a trusted supplier, to help them understand requirements and develop a strategy for reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The program requires companies to adopt GHG emission reduction targets, coupled with financial incentives.

Our experts' solutions

BBA’s environmental management experts analyzed the regulation in detail and assessed various scenarios to establish long-term GHG emission reduction targets, optimized based on the mining plan. Producing concentrate and transporting material were the two activities most subject to CO₂ emission reduction measures, which had to total 12% over five years.

Special attention was given to communicating the results to the client so workers had a comprehensive understanding and could make informed decisions.

Some of the options BBA provided to help reduce CO₂ emissions included:
- Analyzing the cycle time (transport) between mining deposits, waste rock piles and the concentrator
- Transitioning fossil fuel energy to renewable energy
The main challenge was using the options provided for in the Newfoundland and Labrador program and adapt them to the Tata Steel mining plan, for a mine still under development, so that establishing GHG emission targets now would not negatively impact its operations later, all while allowing maximum flexibility for TSMC to meet its ambitious GHG reduction targets throughout the mine’s development.

Thanks to the close relationships we’ve developed over the years with the Tata Steel team and our understanding of their business reality, we were able to help them establish the best GHG reduction targets based on their production requirements.

Dave Olsthoorn, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., Energy & Environment, BBA

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