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Hot Commodity! Copper and Codelco
Johanna Hoopes | Friday 5th February 2010
 In the sustainability realm, it is generally accepted that companies using extractive technologies, such as mining or oil drilling, are the enemy. The process itself can create long-term environmental effects such as erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water. Contamination of chemical leakages can also be detrimental to the health of local populations. I am in agreement that the majority of these beasts are part of the problem, not part of the solution. Others, however, are realizing that their current extraction and production methods are both immoral and unsustainable.Now let's be real. Copper has secured its place in the modern world. The mineral is used in superconductivity, high speed data transmission, microchip manufacture, solar energy and the storage of nuclear wastes. Copper wire is a key ingredient cell phones, computers and electric cars. As these devices penetrate our society, demand for copper commercialization in developing countries will continue to grow. Its properties of high conductivity, recyclability and resistance to corrosion reflect the progress of our civilization. Although we may not agree with how copper is mined, we must be aware of the multiple benefits from its application in our daily lives. Talking on your beloved iPhone while condemning the production of its inputs seems a bit hypocritical, no? Although they are far from 'green', companies like Codelco, one of Chile's largest copper mining conglomerates, are developing cleaner and safer mining techniques within their core business processes. Besides increasing its own efficiency and developing technologies to exploit lower grade deposits, Codelco implements strategic environmental action plans to control atmospheric emissions and contaminators from smelting and mining operations. On the back end, company-wide waste management programs reduce and re-circulate liquid wastes to minimize their impact on the environment. Codelco Good Neighbor works to support the development of communities where Codelco operates. The program builds solidarity and trust with local communities through farming, education assistance and reforestation projects while engendering goodwill and government support. To take a deeper look into Chile's mining industry, I asked Robert Speiser, a sustainability expert based out of Santiago, for his take on the matter. Robert mentioned the impact of global economic growth, particularly that of China, on Chile's economic development and mining sector. He asserted that "China's unceasing demand for copper for construction is the leading foreign market for Chilean exports, and that is almost exclusively because of copper demand." We also discussed the role of Chile's environmental regulatory body, CONAMA (Comision Nacional del Medio Ambiente), and its environmental impact assessments that are conducted on each mining project. Chile was even ranked 16th in the country environmental protection rankings that were recently released at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Mining giants are also teaming up to reaffirm their responsibility. Rio Tinto and Codelco recently entered into the Ro de Cobre (River of Copper) technology alliance agreement. This new alliance allows both companies to jointly pursue next generation copper mining and processing technology development. The aim is to deliver safer, more energy efficient and lower cost of production from both current and next generation open-pit and deep underground mines whilst operating with a lower overall environmental impact. Both major players are a part of the International Council of Mining and Metals, a CEO-led organization (and active Justmeans member) committed to the responsible production of minerals and metals. It seems that the copper industry will only grow. It is up to all stakeholders (cell phone addicts, computer geeks and car drivers) to take an interest in improving its environmental impact. |
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