ICMM publishes new tools for mining companies to improve circularity and promote the sustainable use of natural resources
Today, ICMM publishes new tools aimed at helping mining and metals companies improve their circularity – that is to minimise waste and maximise value throughout every stage of the life cycle, from sourcing, to production, to use and recovery.
Minerals and metals are used as base materials in products, technologies and infrastructure across almost every sector. By strengthening approaches to reducing emissions, tailings and other waste; optimising water usage; regenerating closed mine sites; valorising and recycling other waste such as tyres; and focussing on efficiency, the sustainability of materials entering value chains can be improved. Collaboration to promote the responsible use and recovery of these metals after they enter markets can help to ultimately enable circular economies.
ICMM’s Tools for Circularity provide business cases for increasing circularity in the industry and share good practice and detailed case studies from different operating contexts to help companies set circularity approaches, from a corporate-level through to implementation at mining and metals operations. They highlight the significant opportunities to boost material efficiency and minimise waste whilst creating new financial, social and environmental value based around the remining of tailings, utilisation of by-products or the recovery and reprocessing of e-waste and zero emission vehicle batteries.
Population growth, social progress and clean energy technologies are increasing demand for minerals and metals. At COP28, a landmark commitment was made by nearly 120 nations to triple the world’s installed renewable energy generation capacity by 2030.[1] However, even with the predicted future increase in recycling to help bridge the supply gap, it is estimated that more than 300 new mines may still be needed to meet the demand created by the energy transition.[2]
Increasing the circularity of mining and metals value chains will help us to sustainably and responsibly meet the growing demand for metals.
“ICMM’s members have been integrating circular principles at the site level for many years, in part to reduce any negative impacts of extraction but also because it makes good business sense. We hope that ICMM’s Tools for Circularity will enhance and widen companies’ existing approaches to help accelerate progress towards circular economies, and highlight opportunities to gain additional value through emerging opportunities such as the processing of secondary materials.
“ Metals are durable materials that can be recycled almost indefinitely under the right conditions. For materials to be truly circular, both the way they are produced and consumed must be circular. ICMM is focused on creating a collaborative space to ensure that the right conditions are in place to allow different types of circular strategies to be successful, including regulation, technology and low carbon energy availability and financing.
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Notes
1. COP28. (2024). Global renewables and energy efficiency pledge. Retrieved from: COP28 website
2. Benchmark Source, 2022, More than 300 new mines required to meet battery demand by 2035, More than 300 new mines required to meet battery demand by 2035 | Benchmark Source (benchmarkminerals.com) (accessed 03.06.2024)
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Notes to Editors
About ICMM
ICMM stands for mining with principles. We bring together a third of the global mining and metals industry, along with key partners to drive leadership, action and innovation for sustainable development, ultimately delivering a positive contribution to society. Through collaboration, ICMM member companies set the standard for responsibly produced minerals and metals in a safe, just and sustainable world.
Media contacts
Marine Godard
Communications Officer ICMM
Marine.godard@icmm.com
+44 (0)7483 358272
Kristen Dodd
Director, Comunications ICMM
Kristen.dodd@icmm.com
+44 (0)7758 785851
