Mining has historically been an industry that takes a heavy toll on the environment.
Chinalco is motivated to mitigate the environmental impact of its mining and related operations and to preserve the ecosystems in which it operates. Chinalco’s technological abilities and expertise have allowed it to adapt its mining and smelting operations to be exemplary examples of sustainable practices.
Many of Chinalco’s operations are energy intensive, and Chinalco has developed an energy management system that significantly reduces its production needs. Compared to energy consumption levels in 2006, Chinalco reduced its energy consumption by an amount equivalent to 590,000 tonnes of standard coal in 2007 and reduced emission of sulfur dioxide by approximately 5.3% and waste dust by approximately 14.2%
Additionally, Chinalco has aggressively promoted a “zero emission of waste water” project, and in 2007, over 80% of its alumina refineries realized the “zero emission” target, representing a reduction of almost 40 million tonnes of emissions. This project, coupled with Chinalco’s extensive recycling and reusing program, has significantly lowered the impact of its operations on the environment.
Finally, when Chinalco closes a mine, it makes every effort to ensure that its impact is not permanent. At Guangxi, Chinalco has implemented a biological land rehabilitation project to enable the sites of former mines to be suitable for agricultural use. Through its leading rehabilitation practices and technology, Chinalco has achieved a rehabilitation in post mining areas.
