Mining & Minerals Today February 2023 | Page 32

This challenge not only impedes the attractiveness of investments and ease of doing business in certain regions , but also has foundational implications for the human development and well-being of some of the world ’ s most vulnerable people .

Beyond external impact , pressure is also building from government and policy groups , such as the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures ( TCFD ), for the decarbonization of mining companies . Long-term mineral supply will require climate change risk adaptation policies that address the sector ’ s particular challenges , such as assets that are particularly vulnerable to the volatile weather patterns that will arise from changes in global temperatures .
One of the biggest current environmental concerns of mineralintensive

renewable energy technologies
The demand for renewable energy technology is global
comes from the recycling of these

minerals following the end-of-life of these products . Currently , recycling rates are only positive for iron and steel . Increasing rates of recycling of these metals could improve supply and sustainability but further research and attention is needed here , as recycling rates are currently poor .

Reuse of minerals will play a key role in meeting future mineral demand . If , for example , end of life recovery and reuse of aluminum were to increase to 100 percent , there
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