Newmont Nature-Based Decarbonization (scoping study)

Like many of the world’s largest mining companies, Newmont is voluntarily targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Recent research on technical feasibility of mining operation decarbonization has shown that mining companies may be able to achieve up to 70% carbon emissions reductions through internal initiatives, but may require options to capture and store carbon (either through purchasing offsets on the open market or capturing carbon) to drive net emissions all the way to zero. It is also predicted that the future cost of these offsets on the market will be multiples of what they are today. Nature-based solutions such as capturing carbon in forests, wetlands and soil will become an essential part of carbon capture portfolios for mining companies to stabilize and minimize the total cost of achieving decarbonization commitments. This study will model the different nature-based decarbonization opportunities available to Newmont mining operations in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gregory Paradis

Student:

Partner:

Newmont Goldcorp (Vancouver, BC)

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: