DECARBONISATION HOME TRUTHS

ABB’S MINING’S MOMENT’ REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE INDUSTRY’S PROGRESS IN MAKING OPERATIONS MORE SUSTAINABLE.

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Thinking about decarbonising a mining operation and actually doing it are two very different things.

Conducted by an external and independent market research agency, ABB surveyed 412 mining executives from 18 countries across Asia, Europe, North America, South America, South Africa and Australia for its 'Mining's Moment' report.

Of those surveyed in Australia, made up of 64 per cent male and 36 per cent female representatives, 82 per cent said they were excited by the opportunities presented by the increasing recognition of mining's role in supplying resources for green technologies.

Perhaps more significantly, exactly half of those surveyed said they anticipate significant or complete transformation of their operations over the coming five years.

Pair that with 32 per cent reporting that their mining businesses are behind on their decarbonisation objectives and there is clear recognition that decarbonisation is the path forward; it's a matter of when, not if.

"People are saying the industry is going to change," ABB Australia head of process industries Stuart Cowie told Australian Mining. "The decarbonisation transformation is happening, and our 'Mining's Moment' report reflects this." Only 11 per cent of respondents are very confident they will achieve their 2030 decarbonisation goals. This rises to 37 per cent when it comes to achieving 2050 targets.

Cowie drilled down into the results more closely.

"Of the Australian respondents, 76 per cent agree that to achieve decarbonisation an integrated approach involving a combination of electrification, automation and digitalisation is necessary," he said.