85
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
I. B. Franco et al. (eds.), Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Science
for Sustainable Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9927-6_7
Chapter 7
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
Sustainable Use of Energy and Water Resources
in the Mining Sector: A Comparative Case Study
of Open-Pit and Alluvial Mining Technology
Natalia A. Cano Londoño, Jessi Osorio Velasco, Felipe Castañeda García,
and Isabel B. Franco
Abstract Environmental impacts associated with the use of water and energy
resources are among the most significant problems for the mining industry, requiring
the implementation of new solutions in line with Sustainable Development Goal
6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. Currently, the challenge is converting mineral
wealth into development opportunities while responding to the needs of future
generations. This is specifically regarding the investment of nonrenewable resources
in the implementation of strategies to promote the efficient use of both renewable
and nonrenewable energy sources. This chapter aims to evaluate the cradle-to-gate
consumption of renewable (water) and nonrenewable energy sources in both openpit and alluvial mining systems. Additionally, life cycle assessment (LCA) has been
performed to both estimate and analyze their impact on water resources. This is
extended by the presentation of opposing reductive strategies including the
optimization of process efficiency and use of circular economies. This research is
significant within the Colombian context as water usage is often a determining
factor in the attainment of key environmental and social licenses. Furthermore, the
N. A. Cano Londoño (*) · J. O. Velasco
School of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
e-mail: nacanol@unal.edu.co; jeosoriove@unal.edu.co
F. C. García
Grupo Mineros, Medellin, Colombia
e-mail: luis.castaneda@mineros.com.co
I. B. Franco
Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, United Nations University Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo, Japan
Australian Institute for Business and Economics, The University of Queensland,
Brisbane, Australia
e-mail: connect@drisabelfranco.com
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
I. B. Franco et al. (eds.), Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Science
for Sustainable Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9927-6_7
Chapter 7
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
Sustainable Use of Energy and Water Resources
in the Mining Sector: A Comparative Case Study
of Open-Pit and Alluvial Mining Technology
Natalia A. Cano Londoño, Jessi Osorio Velasco, Felipe Castañeda García,
and Isabel B. Franco
Abstract Environmental impacts associated with the use of water and energy
resources are among the most significant problems for the mining industry, requiring
the implementation of new solutions in line with Sustainable Development Goal
6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. Currently, the challenge is converting mineral
wealth into development opportunities while responding to the needs of future
generations. This is specifically regarding the investment of nonrenewable resources
in the implementation of strategies to promote the efficient use of both renewable
and nonrenewable energy sources. This chapter aims to evaluate the cradle-to-gate
consumption of renewable (water) and nonrenewable energy sources in both openpit and alluvial mining systems. Additionally, life cycle assessment (LCA) has been
performed to both estimate and analyze their impact on water resources. This is
extended by the presentation of opposing reductive strategies including the
optimization of process efficiency and use of circular economies. This research is
significant within the Colombian context as water usage is often a determining
factor in the attainment of key environmental and social licenses. Furthermore, the
N. A. Cano Londoño (*) · J. O. Velasco
School of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
e-mail: nacanol@unal.edu.co; jeosoriove@unal.edu.co
F. C. García
Grupo Mineros, Medellin, Colombia
e-mail: luis.castaneda@mineros.com.co
I. B. Franco
Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, United Nations University Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo, Japan
Australian Institute for Business and Economics, The University of Queensland,
Brisbane, Australia
e-mail: connect@drisabelfranco.com