1. eng.monash.edu.au/enveng Dr Gavin M Mudd Environmental Engineering Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining February 2007

2. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 2 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Gold …

3. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 3 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Gold Mining v Sustainability ? Define oxymoron : sustainable gold miningDefine oxymoron : sustainable gold mining Gold mining has been a critical aspect of economic and social development in many countriesGold mining has been a critical aspect of economic and social development in many countries Gold mining has also left a legacy of impacts – social, environmental, etcGold mining has also left a legacy of impacts – social, environmental, etc The application of sustainability principles to gold mining is, at first, counter-intuitiveThe application of sustainability principles to gold mining is, at first, counter-intuitive This paper attempts to compile such data !This paper attempts to compile such data !

4. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 4 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Gold Mining & Sustainability Metrics Data Sources and MethodologyData Sources and Methodology Analysis of Sustainability MetricsAnalysis of Sustainability Metrics Results – Global Gold ProductionResults – Global Gold Production Results – Energy, Water and Cyanide ConsumptionResults – Energy, Water and Cyanide Consumption Results – Greenhouse EmissionsResults – Greenhouse Emissions Discussion : Deficiencies, Future Work …Discussion : Deficiencies, Future Work … SummarySummary

5. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 5 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Analysis of Sustainability Metrics Some key issues for sustainability include energy, water and cyanide consumption and greenhouse emissionsSome key issues for sustainability include energy, water and cyanide consumption and greenhouse emissions The eco-efficiency of various gold mines is compared using the unit consumption (/emission) per gold produced relative to ore grade and ore throughput :The eco-efficiency of various gold mines is compared using the unit consumption (/emission) per gold produced relative to ore grade and ore throughput : –kL water / kg Au; t CO 2 / kg Au; GJ energy / kg Au –kL water / t ore; t CO 2 / t ore; GJ energy / t ore –t cyanide / kg Au

6. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 6 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Global Historical Gold Production

7. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 7 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Global Historical Gold Ore Grades

8. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 8 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Unit Water Consumption v Grade

9. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 9 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Unit Water Consumption v Ore

10. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 10 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Unit Energy Consumption v Grade

11. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 11 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Unit Energy Consumption v Ore

12. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 12 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Unit Cyanide Consumption v Grade

13. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 13 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Unit Greenhouse Emissions v Grade

14. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 14 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Unit Greenhouse Emissions v Ore

15. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 15 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Discussions & Debates.. Gold mining has occurred throughout the world, with main factors including :Gold mining has occurred throughout the world, with main factors including : –new discoveries, prices, technology, social, … The most recent gold boom (>1980) has seen unprecedented global gold miningThe most recent gold boom (>1980) has seen unprecedented global gold mining Fundamental trends for gold mining :Fundamental trends for gold mining : –declining ore grades, open cuts, technology, … Sustainability metrics, unit consumption/ emissions, are highly grade dependentSustainability metrics, unit consumption/ emissions, are highly grade dependent

16. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 16 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Sustainability Costs of Gold In general, based on data within this paper, the production of gold entails :In general, based on data within this paper, the production of gold entails : per t Ore per kg Au Water 1.69 kL / t ore 773 kL / kg Au Energy 0.34 GJ / t ore 149 GJ / kg Au Cyanide- 147 kg / kg Au Carbon Dioxide 23.4 kg CO 2 / t ore 11.6 t CO 2 / t ore

17. 2 nd Int Conf on Sustainability Eng/Sci : Sustainability Metrics of Gold Mining / 17 Institute for Sustainable Water Resources Summary & Conclusions Gold Mining continues around the worldGold Mining continues around the world Gold ore grades are in terminal declineGold ore grades are in terminal decline Sustainability metrics are clearly linked and very sensitive to ore gradeSustainability metrics are clearly linked and very sensitive to ore grade Due to the low grade, gold production entails significant unit costs for water, energy, cyanide, greenhouse emissionsDue to the low grade, gold production entails significant unit costs for water, energy, cyanide, greenhouse emissions Future sustainability is difficult to predict …Future sustainability is difficult to predict …