PATHWAYS TO NET ZERO
Sector
Mining

Function
Extraction of minerals used for multiple purposes across all sectors
GHG emissions
8 MtCO2eq (2018), 1% of total national emissions
Options for decarbonization
Electrification, advances in extraction and processing technologies, recycling and recovery, managed decline of coal
Stage of transition
Emergence/diffusion (metal recycling, improved extraction and processing technologies); Early diffusion (electric equipment, onsite renewable energy production and storage)
Nature of the problem today
Legacy infrastructure, high up-front costs, lack of regulatory framework (metal recycling and recovery)
Other systemic issues
Pollution; worker health and safety; remediation of abandoned sites; relations with Indigenous peoples
Opportunities and concerns
Potential to reduce operational costs, improve air quality and worker health, and create new revenue streams (metal recycling and recovery).
Design, build and test new electric mining technologies in Canadian labs and mines, export technology. Markets for minerals critical to a low carbon transition (for example, batteries). Indigenous land claims and opportunities for partnership. Competitiveness issues: need for international collaboration
Priorities for action
Incentivize use of electric mining equipment, and on-site renewable energy production and storage; regulatory framework and funding of pilots to encourage metal recovery/recycling
Longer-term issues
Lifecycle management of batteries, mine site reclamation, production of metallurgical coal
Indicators of progress
Proportion of mining equipment that is electric or fuel cell; volume and value of recycled metals.