With several minerals and resources being vital in the global energy transition, mining companies across the globe are committing to a net-zero emissions target by 2030.
In the industry, companies are beginning to consider whether there are environmental, social, or governance (ESG) risks that may affect their ability to raise capital, obtain permits, and work with communities, regulators, and non-government organisations.
Mining.com.au is recognising a company that has developed or carried out an environmentally focused sustainable program to protect, preserve, or rehabilitate the natural environment.
The winner of the inaugural Mining.com.au Exceptional ESG Award is Queensland-based explorer and developer QMines (ASX:QML).
The inaugural 2024 Mining.com.au Masters of Mining Awards are the newest national awards program to recognise and celebrate companies that contribute to the mining and minerals processing industry within Australia. The awards recognise companies and individuals that excel in everything from exploration, to diversity and inclusion, innovation, leadership, job creation, and sector advocacy.
QMines is focused on becoming Australia’s first zero-carbon copper and gold producer, via its two advanced assets: the Mt Chalmers copper-gold and Develin Creek copper-zinc projects.
The Mt Chalmers Project, located 17km northeast of Rockhampton, is a historical copper-gold mine that is currently transitioning into a development phase. The project previously operated as an open pit and underground operation between 1898 and 1982.
Mt Chalmers covers 316km2 and includes several known volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposits that are not currently in resource estimates.
The Develin Creek Project, located 90km west of Rockhampton, comprises two tenements which covers 272km2. There are several VHMS copper-zinc deposits including Sulphide City, Scorpion, and Window.
In February 2022, QMines became the third ASX-listed resources company to be certified carbon-neutral under the Australian Government’s Climate Active program.
As the company transitions towards development, QMines plans to adopt numerous additional ESG strategies that demonstrates its ESG leadership in the industry.
One of the initiatives the company has adopted involves upgrading its onsite and battery back-up system by adding a further 6.6 kilowatts of renewable energy generation. QMines says this further allows operations at Mt Chalmers to remain off-grid.
Another initiative QMines has adopted is a long-term supply agreement with an Australian renewable fuel company. The initiative is anticipated to decrease scope one diesel emissions produced during exploration and development activities by an initial 20%.
Earlier this month, QMines received drilling results which highlighted the potential to expand the life of the Mt Chalmers mine. To date, 36 holes totalling 4,227m of reverse circulation drilling have been completed, with the samples delivered to ALS laboratories in Brisbane for assaying.
The company plans to continue drilling while rig movements and site clearing has not been impacted by weather.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Mining.com.au
