February 2 | 7pm-9:30pm (EST)| 1am-3:30am (CET)+1| 8am-10:30am (AWST)+1|
With increased global demand for sustainability, industry collaboration is essential for addressing the reduction of green-house gas emissions, improving circularity, implementing green technologies, managing tailings and other waste, and achieving carbon neutrality.
Strong sustainability practices have the potential to reduce long-term costs and help to build a positive image for the mining industry. This is especially important for mining due to the cyclical nature of the industry, high equipment costs, lack of case studies, and perceptions of risk. Fostering education, developing positive case studies, defining best practices, and emphasizing corporate responsibility are all essential for moving forward with sustainable practices. During this virtual forum, the mining industry will come together to collaborate on creating a sustainable future for the industry.
To get involved, click “register”.
Presentations:
Energy Trends Impacting Business
Ron Miller, Director of Energy, Newmont
Mankind is finding more and more uses for energy as demand grows, while the energy sector is seeing huge changes and trends that business leaders need to consider. Some of these trends include: renewables and battery price declines, California “Duck Curve”, energy storage, nuclear energy, EVs, renewables impact on prices, solar-to-steam, the U.S. shale oil revolution and investment, methane flaring, and reducing emissions. The key for business leaders is to anticipate, exploit these energy trends to improve their business while remaining good stewards of the environment.
About Ron: Ron Miller is an energy industry expert creating value by analyzing assets, markets, technologies, and power usage to identify, monetize, and implement profitable energy projects. He is a Professional Engineer/MBA/Certified Energy Manager experienced in developing and leading energy projects in the renewable energy, conventional power, and fuels industries. He has led energy project development at ExxonMobil, Xcel Energy, AECOM, and Rio Tinto, and is currently the Director of Energy in Asset Management with Newmont Corporation. Ron holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA in Finance from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.
An introduction and Overview of TSM
Ben Chalmers, Senior Vice President, Mining Association of Canada
This presentation will provide an overview of the Mining Association of Canada’s globally recognized Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program – what it is, how it works, and where it is going. TSM was the first mining sustainability standard in the world to require site-level assessments and is mandatory for all companies that are members of implementing associations. Through TSM, eight critical aspects of social and environmental performance are evaluated, independently validated, and publicly reported against 30 distinct performance indicators. Program development and verification is overseen by an independent advisory body that represents diverse national interests in each country of implementation. Increasingly, other mining associations, governments, investors, and manufacturers are looking to TSM as global best practice in sustainable and responsible mining. In recent years, mining associations in Spain, Finland, Norway, Botswana, Argentina, Brazil, and the Philippines have adopted the program, with more associations expected to sign on to the program in 2021.
About Ben: Since joining MAC in 2011, Ben has been responsible for the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative, MAC’s award-winning program focused on enabling mining companies to meet society’s needs for minerals, metals and energy products in the most socially, economically and environmentally responsible way. In 2018, Ben took on the role of Senior Vice President and is also responsible for overseeing MAC’s work related to Indigenous Peoples, Public Affairs & Communications and Government Relations. Ben began working in the mining industry in 2004 at the Myra Falls Operations in British Columbia as an Environmental Supervisor. Prior to MAC, Ben served as Vice President, Environment and Technical Affairs for the Mining Association of British Columbia and was also a Senior Policy Analyst with Natural Resources Canada.
Facing the Challenge Together – The evolving role of corporates in driving climate change solution
John Hoekstra, Vice President of Sustainability Services, Schneider Electric ESS
Climate change is the defining environmental issue of our generation and corporations around the world are recognizing their role in driving mitigation solutions. Schneider Electric will share its view of sustainability activities across industries including mining and share a comprehensive approach to evaluating and implementing a climate strategy. John will frame Schneider Electric’s journey and strategy on the topic alongside other industry vanguards. Additionally, specific, cost-effective strategies for reducing consumption, replacing carbon-intensive energy with low-carbon sources, offsetting emissions that cannot otherwise be reduced, and addressing Value/Supply Chain carbon impacts in a pragmatic and profitable way will be discussed. Climate change action requires all of us to work together and contribute to the solution. It also requires decarbonization and sustainability starting with resource extraction and processing, through manufacturing and operation right to obsolescence and responsible recycling. John will share Schneider Electric’s most recent sustainability report card which includes our global supply chain decarbonization and circular economy progress
About John: John Hoekstra is global Vice President of Sustainability and Cleantech Services for Schneider Electric. His team is responsible for advising leading companies around the world on the topic of climate change, carbon management, renewable energy and broader environmental, social & governance (ESG) initiatives. Advisory services range from comprehensive sustainability reporting using Resource Advisor to strategic planning such as setting Science Based Targets (SBTs) to renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) and supply chain sustainability. John also leads the New Energy Opportunity (NEO) Network, a peer to peer sustainability and renewables network featuring over 300 global commercial & industrial (C&I) members as well as leading solution providers with the mission to accelerate decarbonization of corporate portfolios. He serves in an executive sponsorship capacity for a variety of diverse, global sustainability programs with Schneider Electric clients.