FLSMIDTH & CO. A/S
The first Calcolithic or Copper Age took place around the fifth millennium BC and is considered a transition between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. Now, by 2021, we might well be entering a second Copper Age, and once again, it would be a transition. This time, copper will be the key mineral in the global transition from fossil fuels to a clean, low-carbon energy future, writes
The use of copper in electro-mobility, green energy production and infrastructure, food refrigeration and even vaccines means that the industry has a bright future. Copper is projected to experience significantly higher demand compared to most other raw materials. The prognosis is very positive, the price of copper is strong and backed by an agile and healthy industry.
This is something we see as a great opportunity because people will be able to better understand what materials and resources are needed to move towards a better future. Copper, of course, is a central element of this.
Significant increase in copper demand has put industry at the center of the global economy. This means greater social impact and changing expectations. Copper and copper production are more visible than ever and their end users seek even greater transparency.
Changing consumer expectations
However, as a key player in creating a low-carbon economy, we must also take on new expectations that must become opportunities. If we offer sustainable solutions for sustainable products, people will be proud to use copper on their phones and electric cars.
As a premium supplier of equipment, technology and knowledge to the copper industry, we recognize our key role in facilitating and supporting best practices in responsible copper production through technology and digitization. That's why we embark on our MissionZero ambition in
A copper-bottomed perspective
Some analysts, such as S&P and Fitch, project that copper consumption will exceed production in the coming years. Meanwhile, hopes for a post-pandemic economic recovery are also positively impacting prices, and there are rumors that even suggest starting a new supercycle.
Some analysts, such as S&P and Fitch, project that copper consumption will exceed production in the coming years. Meanwhile, hopes for a post-pandemic economic recovery are also positively impacting prices, and there are rumors that even suggest starting a new supercycle.
But as demand for copper soars, at the same time we are dealing with declining and complex ore laws.
It's a simple equation. As laws fall, miners need to use more water and process more ore. And that's just to maintain production rates. With rising droughts and water scarcity, the costs and risks associated with the copper industry are growing.
An important part of our focus on mining is helping the copper industry reduce its environmental impact and develop more sustainable solutions, practices and technologies, particularly when it comes to improving water recycling and energy productivity.
Dry battery relays is an existing and proven technology that provides greater water recycling and therefore a lower need for freshwater consumption. It also ensures a tank that is dry and stable and superior to traditional wet relaves, when it comes to safety and reducing filtration risks. Our recent automatic press filter, for example, can recycle 95% of process water in large mining tasks, while minimizing downtime for maintenance. Achieves 93% availability. Dry stack relays are suitable not only for new projects, but also work well in existing mines.
More copper with less resource usage
As ore laws fall, the importance of producing more with fewer resources is the order of the day. This means that copper recovery must be optimized in operational operations. The mines are deepening and the ore is becoming more complex to be extracted and recovered.
Innovative and cost-efficient solutions, such as our ROL leaching process, which enables the development of mineral deposits containing arsenic, will be required to maintain copper production levels in existing mines or to take advantage of new mineralized bodies.
Additionally, we are seeing this trend grow, with Rio's recent telurium investment in its Kennecott mine. This should be part of the copper industry's drive for greater efficiency, productivity and finally, profitability.
In the drive for greater efficiency, it is impossible to ignore digitization, which will be absolutely key to achieving sustainable, productive and socially acceptable mining.
Why? Because greater sustainability goes hand in hand with better productivity. Digital will help the industry find the holy grail of producing more with fewer resources and a reduced overall footprint.
Sustainability is a business opportunity
I have certainly written about this before, but it is worth repeating: Sustainable solutions do not need to be financed by profits. This is not a zero-sum game, sustainability can be an engine of future gains and opportunities. There's a commercial impact.
This is why a common denominator for all of our innovative solutions is that they must be financially viable and give our customers the opportunity to increase their business while minimizing their environmental impact.
The growing importance of standards such as The Copper Mark for mining
The world is changing. The modern consumer is much more interested in supply chains and the availability of minerals in their phones, electric vehicles and batteries. Mining is being forced to think with the mindset of its end consumer, which means guaranteeing users and other stakeholders that copper in their devices is obtained ethically and sustainably.
Those who do well in this area will be the ones who succeed in the market.
That's why initiatives like The Copper Mark are becoming more important and will continue to grow in importance. Throughout the mining industry, we must have reliable certification processes and standards that are aligned with the LME and
We, of course, look forward to helping the industry achieve its responsible copper production objections. But, we too are a big consumer of copper. These factors are part of the reason
We need to change the way we have extracted copper for hundreds of years, and this will only be achieved through new partnerships and co-creation within industry, outside the industry and in conjunction with third parties and universities.
I will end by calling on our copper industry peers to contact us and come forward to discuss how we can take the next steps in developing solutions that lead to future splendor for the copper industry and a second sustainable and productive Copper Age.
(This article is based on
Contact:
Vigerslev Alle 77
2500 Valby,
T: +45 3618 1000
E: info@flsmidth.com
(C) 2021 Electronic News Publishing, source
