Finland s Green Mining Programme

Transcription

1 An Overview on Finnish Mining Pekka A. Nurmi, Ph.D., Prof. Research Director Ressouces Minérales Défis Scientifiques et Sociétaux Ècole Thématique du CNRS, Genèneve 2013 Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. Finland s Green Mining Programme PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

2 Talk Outline Geological Survey of Finland in brief Mining and exploration in Finland Finland s mining vision Finland s Green Mining Concept Green Mining Programme Examples of Green Mining projects PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

3 GTK in Brief GTK is a geoscience research agency operating under the Ministry of Employment and the Economy (TEM) GTK figures: expenditure 57 M / revenues 13 M / staff 620 Core activity: Survey and research of mineral resources and their sustainable use Geoscience information and expertise for society and the business sector Global actor and desired partner for R&D and services on core competencies Active role in mineral policy issues in Finland and EU Peru Bolivia Chile Namibia Ukraine Central Asia Afghanistan Mongolia Ethiopia Laos China Vietnam Uganda Tanzania Zambia GTK s international project activities PNurmi

4 R&D Competence in Minerals Sector Economic geology and exploration Mineral processing Applied mineralogy and isotope geology Management and delivery of geoscience data Geodata modelling and visualization Bedrock geology and geophysical techniques Selected references: coordinator of 17 M ProMine project and 8 Green Mining projects metallogeny compilations and databases over 100 contract surveys annually on mineral processing. Reflection seismics &modelling Mineral processing test plant Metallogeny & databeses PNurmi

5 Fennoscandian Shield - Good Potential within EU Precambrian shield area similar to Canada & Australia Long mining tradition Yet under-explored terrain Potential for many commodities: base metals, gold, PGE, iron, high-tech metals, industrial minerals, diamonds, PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

6 Mining Boom in Fennoscandia Major new mine projects 2012 Expansion/reopening of old mines PA Nurmi Nurmi & Febr. Eilu 6,

7 Gold Mines and Deposits Kittilä Ni Cu, n, Pb Fe, V, Ti, Cr Au, Ag, Pd, Pt Hi-tech metals 7

8 Nickel Mines and Deposits Petchenga Kevitsa Talvivaara Nickel Cu, Zn, pb Fe, V, Ti, Cr Au, Ag, Pd, Pt Hi-tech metals Uranium 8

9 Composite Policy and Mineral Potential Ranking Source: Frazer Institute Mining Company Survey 2012 PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

10 Why Finland? Excellent geodata and infrastructure Significant potential for new discoveries A favourable and secure investment environment PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

11 Reflection Seismics 2100 km regional surveys 700 km high-resolution on ore belts PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

12 Mining in the Nutshell 52 mines (12 metal, 17 carbonate rocks and 14 industrial minerals) Mine investments Bill. Estimated investments over 3 Bill. Estimated turnover 2.5 Bill. and employeers 5000 in 2015 Finland is one of the leading mining technology providers (Metso, Outotec, Sandvik, Normet) Annual ore output (Mt) > < 0.1 Metals Industrial minerals Kittilä gold Hitura nickel Raahe gold Kevitsa nickel Pahtavaara gold Kemi chrome Lahnaslampi talc Pyhäsalmi Copper-zinc Siilinjärvi phosphorus TalvivaaraNickel-zinc Kylylahti copper Polvijärvi talc Ilomantsi gold Orivesi gold Jokisivu gold Lappeenranta calcite Data: ETLA 2011 Parainen calcite Lohja calcite PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

13 Exploration Projects 30 companies active in exploration Main commodities: Au, Ni, Cu, PGE, ferrous metals, hitech metals, Exploration expenditure 81 mill. incl. brown fields in 2011 Rompas golduranium Sakatti Nickel-copperplatinum Kuusamo gold Särkiniemi nickel Rantasalmi gold PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

14 Finland s Mining vision 2020 Volume of metallic ores mined PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

15 Key Challenges for the Mining Industry Deposits more difficult to discover: deeper, remote, lower grade, more difficult to process Skills crisis Volatility of commodity prices Critical minerals change with time and tehnological development Access to land Social lincense to operate PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

16 PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

17 Material and energy efficiency Material and energy efficiency reduces the environmental footprint of product life cycles. All useful minerals and by-products should be recovered and waste minimized. Reduction of primary water consumption Reliable ways of measuring the efficiency and the environmental footprint during the life cycle. PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

18 Availability of mineral resources for future needs Sustainable development requires that our current use of minerals does not endanger the ability of future generations to satisfy their needs. Individual deposits are non-renewable, but mineral resources in the Earth s crust are in no danger of running out. Price increases and technological development make new deposits and discoveries viable and promote substitution. Active exploration and development of exploration and mining techniques is needed to ensure the availability of mineral resources for future. Better product design and recycling are also needed for prolonging the life cycle of raw materials. PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

19 Minimizing Adverse Environmental and Social Impacts All mines impact the natural environment, economy and social structure of the region. Adverse environmental and social impacts in all the stages of the operations should be minimized, and social and local benefits maximized. Better control and measurement methods that take into consideration the special characteristics of mining operations and the local conditions. Sustainable mining requires research, communication and broad-based community participation. PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

20 Improvement of Work and Organisational Practices Mining is based on advanced technology and heavy machinery, which can increase potential safety hazards. Work must be organized to be safe and meaningful to employees, and safe to local residents and the environment. Most operations in future smart mines will be executed using remote control. Automation and new technologies help to reduce the need of workforce and improve safety. PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

21 Sustainable Land Use Following Mine Closure The operation time for an individual mine can be very long, but it is always limited. After closure mining areas should be restored to make them safe and to allow other kinds of land use. Planning of mine closure is started well before commencing mining operations and it should be developed throughout the project s life cycle Broad-based participation of local residents and other stakeholders is important. Closure of a mine requires functional and tested technical and scientific methods. PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

22 Tekes - Green Mining Programme Tekes Green Mining Programme aims to make Finland a global forerunner of responsible mining. Duration: Budget: EUR 60 million, of which Tekes will contribute 50%. Companies: EUR 20 million Public research institutes: EUR 10 million All projects should promote the Green Mining Principles PA Nurmi Febr. 6, 2013 Tekes 22

23 Green Mining R&D Programme Material and energy efficiency Controlling environmental impacts Work organisa-tion development Mine / dressing plant pilot projects New mineral Resources Exploration technologies Geomodels and geodata management Hi-tech metal resources Beneficiation and use of country rock and tailings Intelligent and minimal impact/invisible mining Innovative processes (mine, quarry, dressing plant) Automation and optimisation Chemical/biological enrichment techniques Management of process waters Mining machinery/equipment Service innovations and new business concepts Value networks PA Nurmi Febr. 6, 2013 Tekes 23

24 Summary of Current Projects Company projects: Number 15 Mining companies 3 Technology providers 6 Instrument providers 3 Material providers 1 Total cost 15 M Public projects: Number 31 Private partners 38 Mining companies 15 Service etc. 23 Total costs 24 M PA Nurmi Febr. 6, 2013 Tekes 24

25 Novel Technologies for Greenfield ExplorationmNovTecEx User need New mineral discoveries Mineral exploration is challenged by thick glacial formations, peat bogs and weathered bedrock Arctic areas typically exhibit a vulnerable environment Approach Improve exploration concepts New sampling techniques Deep penetrating exploration geophysics Benefits Mineral exploration with minimum impact on environment Users Mining and exploration companies Drilling companies NovTecEx/Vesa Nykänen

26 UltraLIM - Ultra Low-Impact Exploration Methods in the Subarctic Needs New mineral discoveries Mineral exploration in the subarctic areas covered by thick glacial deposits, peat bogs and weathered bedrock Practical knowledge and experimental results of exploration methods for environmentally sensitive areas Approach Use of upper parts of the mineral soils, organic layers, plants and snow as the sample media for exploration Comparison of sampling and assay techniques Find the best practices for sampling and assaying samples in very sensitive subarctic regions Benefits New application and knowledge for the mineral exploration with minimum impact on environment Users Mining and exploration companies Scientific community Contact: pertti.sarala@gtk.fi, vesa.nykanen@gtk.fi, vesa.peuraniemi@oulu.fi PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

27 Developing Deep Mining Camp Exploration User needs More systematic and efficient mineral exploration Shallow parts being already explored and existing deposits more rapidly consumed, need to go deeper (< 5 km) Solution Integrated application of state-of-the-art deep exploration methods and Common Earth Modeling (CEM) concept with best available data and compiled new data Benefits Deep exploration and modeling methods and skills development for Finnish conditions and experts Resource potential given in 3D Improved international exploration, research and knowledge dissemination network Users Mining, exploration and consulting companies Geoscience institutes, universities Over hundred years of mineral exploration and mining give prestigious prominence to Outokumpu ore belt acting as the project target area. PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

28 PROSU Process Scale-up for Sulphide Poor PGE Ores NEEDS The demand of platinum group metals platinum and palladium have been increased There s needs for development of ecological and cost-effective beneficiation process for PGE ores with low sulphur content APPROACH Mineralogical investigation of feed and concentrates at various stages, including phases, occurrence, grain size, liberation and association Mineral processing studies from laboratory to pilot scale and optimizing of process conditions BENEFITS Better knowledge and processing possibilities of sulphide-poor PGE ore deposits Utilization of massive Finnish PGE ore bodies which are not yet in use USERS&MARKETS Mining companies Machine- and process control device suppliers Reagent manufacturers Research institutes

29 ARSENAL Arsenic Control in Mining Processes and Extractive Industry NEEDS Arsenic is a world-wide challenge Arsenic is commonly associated with ores containing metals such as gold It is easily solubilized in water phase Control of arsenic in all mining operations is a necessity APPROACH New mineral processing and water treatment solutions for arsenic removal Novel bio-based treatment processes for arsenic containing wastes and streams Monitoring and environmental risk assessment tools BENEFITS Better knowledge and new management tools on arsenic in the mining area Eco-efficient solutions for mining industry to control and remove arsenic Minimization of health and environmental risks related to arsenic USERS & COMPETITION Technology companies, mines, consults, authorities, other stakeholders Arsenic behavior is highly depend on prevailing conditions and processes Special, tailor-made and global approaches are a challenge and a possibility PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

30 Solutions for Control of Nitrogen Discharges at Mines and Quarries (Miniman) Need Approach Better understanding of the behaviour of nitrogen compounds Minimizing of nitrogen transport Removal of N-compounds from mine waters, especially in cold conditions Analysis of sources, behaviour and management opportunities of nitrogen compounds Biological reactor process and electrochemical /adsorption process for nitrogen removal Benefits Knowledge, tools and technological solutions for nitrogen control at mines Users:Technology companies, mines, consults, authorities, other stakeholders Competition Nitrogen containing explosives used at all the mines and quarries Mining is one of the fastest growing markets for water treatment Market growth of treatment technologies for nitrogen containing mine water is expected due to the tightening regulation Risks Non-nitrogen explosives/explosion techniques (not in near future) Use of membrane solutions for water treatment 30 PA Nurmi Febr. 6, 2013

31 SEEWAY - Smart Mine Water Treatment System NEEDS Mines have too much water in their systems Mines are searching potential mine water treatment processes Smarter treatment is needed: different seasons, metals, system products APPROACH Piloting cost-effective mine water treatment processes Using new chemical and material innovations Developing metal selective water purification processes Tailoring new pilot-systems regarding metals and waters BENEFITS Effective water treatment of heavy metals in hard ph conditions too Water treatment processes are tested and assured beforehand Optimized use of chemicals with soft-sensor systems USERS & COMPETITION Mines, chemical and material companies, process and system producers Global markets of smart water treatment systems are growing fast because of the need of water recycling and mine water safety procedures Mine Water Safety Planning concept PA Nurmi Febr. 6,

32 Mines as Renewable Energy Sources - MINERES Needs Energy efficiency is needed to reduce costs and emissions and raise the green image of the mining industry New ways for utilization of closed mine sites Approach Active and closed mines host significant geothermal resources which can be utilized using modern heat pump technology in e.g. heating of the inlet air of the mines or for heating of residential areas. This is studied in several case studies. Benefits Geothermal energy is a renewable and cost efficient alternative for fossil fuels Mining sites can provide energy for industrial and residential needs also after their closure Challenges and opportunities Distant locations of Finnish mines limit the use for residential needs Results of successful pilot projects can be utilized in mining industry all over the world Contact: asmo.huusko@gtk.fi riikka.holopainen@vtt.fi

33 SAM Sustainable Acceptable Mining Need Sustainability drivers for mining industry, with focus on social acceptance Approach a multiscience approach that includes the three elements of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) in regional level. Foresight and technology aspects included. Benefits Tools for water efficiency and water risk assessment. Concept for social licence to operate and improved dialogue between companies and stakeholders. Potential business models and service concepts will promote the overall sustainability of the industrial sector and will enhance eco-efficiency along the value chain. Users & Competition Actors along the mining value chain (e.g technology developers, mines and other service providers), authorities, consults and local inhabitants. Sustainable technologies and assessment tools create added value to the companies and increase knowledge on mining operation in general and regional level. In co-operation with: PA Nurmi Febr. 6, 2013 FOCUS ON THE WHOLE LIFE-CYCLE OF MINI Eco-efficiency, environment Socially acceptable and Sustainable mining industry Social licence to operate, planning process Kaivannaisteollisuus ry Metsähallitus Mustavaaran kaivos Pyhäsalmi Mines New business and service concepts Sandvik Oy Ab Agnico-Eagle Mines Northland Mines Sakatti Mining 33

34 Thank You for your Attention! May