CEEC International Highlights Sustainability at Global Future Mining Conference 2024
CEEC International Advocate Sarah Boucaut GAICD represented CEEC International at the International Future Mining Conference in Sydney, which attracted a record number of delegates from over 20 countries. The three-day event, which focused on the evolving role of mining in a sustainable future, saw contributions from leading global research institutions and industry leaders as they tackled issues like the industry’s ongoing skills shortage, the integration of emerging ESG standards, and sustainable practices.
Sarah’s presentation on "CEECing the Gaps in the Intersection of Water, Tailings, and Other Emissions via the CEEC Global Water Initiative" featured on Day 2 in the Future Skills and Workforce stream. She discussed CEEC’s collaborative approach to driving eco-efficient practices, with a special emphasis on their Global Water Initiative, which aims to improve water management and reduce environmental impacts in mineral processing. Sarah also participated in the closing panel on Future Mining and ESG, where she expanded on CEEC’s work in reducing the industry's environmental footprint.
The conference, covered a wide range of topics, including Mining in Extreme Environments, Sustainable Mining, Future Skills and Workforce, Technology Integration, Data Visualisation, and MIoT. A key highlight was the presentation by ICMM Co-Chief Operating Officer Danielle Martin, who introduced the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative (CMSI)—a global effort to streamline responsible mining standards. This new initiative aligns closely with CEEC’s mission of promoting sustainable mining practices.
CEEC Advocate, Sarah Boucaut stated, "The Global Future Mining Conference provided an ideal platform to showcase CEEC’s Global Water Initiative. It’s clear that the future of mining must prioritise sustainability, and CEEC’s GWI is a key tool in driving these necessary changes. By focusing on practical, innovative solutions, CEEC can help the industry reduce its environmental impacts while ensuring a sustainable future for mineral production."
The ongoing industry skills shortage was a prominent theme throughout the conference, with many discussions focused on the need for the development of a skilled workforce capable of managing the transition to sustainable mining practices.
GlobeScan’s annual survey of sustainable industry sectors highlighted the persistent challenge for the mining industry, which continues to rank low in public perception concerning its sustainability efforts. Sarah’s participation in the Future Skills and Workforce stream underscored CEEC’s commitment to addressing this issue by championing the need for interdisciplinary teams in the workforce to tackle the problems associated with water management, tailings, and emission reduction.
Other significant discussions throughout the event included managing Scope 3 emissions, waste stream recovery, systems thinking, and hydrogen exports in the form of mineral derivatives. The new Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative (CMSI), supported by The Copper Mark, ICMM, Mining Association of Canada (MAC), and World Gold Council (WGC), offers a promising pathway toward a more unified and robust global standard for responsible mining, overseen by an independent, multi-stakeholder board.
The conference highlighted the need for mining companies to embrace new technologies and standards as they work to meet the expectations of investors, civil society, and policymakers. CEEC International’s role in this evolving landscape remains critical, as an open source, independent platform which continues to advocate for innovative solutions that address water, tailings, and emissions challenges across the industry.