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“We look forward to working with JX Metals on the Green Enabling Partnership that aims to support further GHG emissions reduction in the supply chain for copper, one of the most critical minerals in the journey towards global net-zero ambitions.”
Vandita Pant,
Chief Commercial Officer,
BHP
Recently, the future of the mining industry has been shaped by a variety of themes ranging from safety and health, innovation and technology etc., ESG has become one of the themes that has a significant impact on mining companies. By nature, mining depletes natural resources and has a significant impact on surrounding ecosystems. However, metals and minerals will play an important role in the global transition to a greener future and in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase sustainability in the copper supply chain, the Australian mining company BHP has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with JX Metals to establish the Green Enabling Partnership. This helps also to reduce the companies’ environmental impact and mitigate risks. Comprehensive strategies for positive environmental management target energy consumed, equipment used, and the systems in place for impact mitigation.
Net zero and carbon neutral commitments are on the rise as companies, financial institutions, and countries pledge to cut emissions as much as possible and offset the rest. In this partnership, both companies will work on improving traceability and material origin verification across the industry. JX Metals director and deputy chief executive officer, Kazuhiro Hori said: “JX Metals’ partnerships in the downstream copper supply chain are expanding in scope. Our efforts to produce more sustainable copper are centered on green hybrid smelting at the Saganoseki smelter and refinery, and partnerships with upstream sectors are essential to reduce our scope 3 GHG emissions reported by JX Metals in copper concentrate production and transportation. We will respond to our stakeholders’ needs by enhancing our ESG efforts in upstream sectors through this partnership with BHP, a vital responsibility for JX Metals.”
Furthermore, the partnership plans to support the circular economy and GHG emissions reduction through copper concentrates and sulphuric acid supply between BHP and JX Metals as well as to promote knowledge sharing in areas of estimating and reducing the carbon footprint of electrolytic copper, besides engaging in research and development to support enhanced material processing.
BHP chief commercial officer, Vandita Pant said: “We look forward to working with JX Metals on the Green Enabling Partnership that aims to support further GHG emissions reduction in the supply chain for copper, one of the most critical minerals in the journey towards global net-zero ambitions.”
Conclusively, as the world makes progress towards global climate goals and yet many other companies today are also making major decisions like discontinuing operations in some other countries and some making green partnerships, that alone indicates that ESG considerations are becoming more not less important in companies’ decision making.