Honing in on decarbonisation and identifying key vulnerabilities

We are please to announce a new and thought provoking panel discussion to be held at Life of Mine Conference 2023: Decarbonisation

The mineral sector clearly recognises that its decarbonisation efforts will constitute an essential contribution to achieving global net zero carbon emissions. Mining companies have been communicating publicly their decarbonisation goals and targets, whilst also recognising that there can be vulnerabilities in the multitude of strategies that are being developed.

Broadly, decarbonisation requires: (1) mitigating risks arising from climate change, (2) reducing emissions from operational activities (categorised as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions) and (3) reducing emissions in the total value chain (Scope 3 emissions).

Decarbonisation will also increase demands in critical minerals, with a range of environmental challenges to be managed and mitigated. This translates into a myriad of activities, as is evident from the variety of topics discussed in this conference theme: re-evaluating environmental risks arising from updated climate data sets; adjusting mine planning methods to account for Scope 1, 2, 3 emissions; transitioning from a reliance on fossil fuels for electricity and transport to renewable energy and vehicle electrification; transforming mine sites into renewable energy producers; using methods like Life Cycle Analysis to determine the environmental risks arising from critical materials extraction.

In this panel discussion, we will explore the avenues that are available to organise this complexity and identify key vulnerabilities. We will also examine how we can ensure that this collective action on decarbonisation efforts does not disrupt but enhances the other activities that contribute to sustainability.

Meet the standout panel:

Prof Neil McIntyre

Professor of Water Resources, The University of Queensland

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Professor Neil McIntyre, The University of Queensland, leads research into water resources and climate change in mining regions. This includes modelling impacts of mines, sustainable water supplies for mines, and quantifying closure risks and opportunities. Prior to this role, he led flood hydrology and water resources research programs at Imperial College London where he was Director of the MSc in Hydrology, and also spent 7 years on water infrastructure projects in Scotland. He has wide experience in advising governments and the private sector on water resources and climate risks.

Anna Wiley

Vice President of Planning and Technical, BHP

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Anna is BHP’s Vice President of Planning and Technical for Minerals Australia. Anna is accountable for growth and business sustainability through her portfolio that includes early phase studies, land access and tenure, approvals, cultural heritage and decarbonisation. Leveraging over 20 years of experience in the mining sector and a diverse work background in operational leadership, business improvement, commercial transactions and capital projects, Anna is committed to delivering the solutions needed to decarbonise the mining sector. She is leading studies and proof of concept trials for the electrification of mining equipment and locomotives across BHP’s Australian operations and associated deployment of renewable power solutions. Anna joined BHP in 2017 as Head of Asset Management in the Maintenance & Engineering Centre of Excellence. Prior to this, she worked in senior roles with Rio Tinto including as General Manager Tom Price & Marandoo Mines (Pilbara, WA), Head of Business Improvement Kennecott Utah Copper (Salt Lake City, Utah) and as Business Development Executive (London, UK). Anna holds a Bachelor Degree in Engineering (Civil) and a Bachelor Degree in Commerce from Monash University, Victoria, and is based in Brisbane.

Dr David Rissik

Partner, Deloitte Risk Advisory

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David is a Partner at Deloitte Risk Advisory. He leads work in climate change risk assessment and adaptation and sustainability and has applied approaches in a variety of sectors across Australia and the Pacific. David is a former Deputy Director of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. He is a Non-Executive Director of Green Cross Australia, an NGO which focusses on increasing community resilience to extreme events and climate change. He is an Adjunct Professor at Griffith University.

Greg Fisk

Senior Associate, BMT

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Greg is a Senior Associate of BMT and currently leads the firm’s climate risk and resilience capability globally.

Based in Brisbane, Greg has over 25 years of experience in natural hazard and climate change-related risk and resilience studies with planning, transport, and conservation agencies. He also has experience undertaking climate risk impacts assessments for new infrastructure projects across the transport, water and resources sectors, including rehabilitation and mine closure planning.

In his current role, Greg is assisting clients to develop strategies to address transition and physical risks from climate change and to develop practical approaches to decarbonisation and adaptation. This includes use and application of the guidance produced by the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and associated reporting.