Abstract.
This is a follow-up to the discussion on sustainability challenges presented during COM2020. Decarbonization of mining and metals industry is a major challenge of the twenty-first century. In this paper, the targets related to the decarbonization of mining and metals industry are quantified – specifically for steel, aluminium, copper and nickel. Corresponding technologies are identified based on a literature review and the author’s experience. Implementation of these technologies is discussed based on the author’s 40+ years of hands-on experience in the industry involving all stages of projects from conceptual design to commercial-scale implementation. Potential timelines for implementation as well as technological, regulatory and other constraints are discussed. Metals have been an important part of the circular economy; the end-of-life recycling rates for most common metals are greater than 50%. Recycling is an important part of decarbonization and there is scope for increasing it.
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Dalvi, A.D. (2023). Decarbonization of Mining and Metals Industry. A Critical Overview. In: Proceedings of the 61st Conference of Metallurgists, COM 2022. COM 2022. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17425-4_103
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