In a previous post, I’ve discussed sustainable aluminum as a path to further improve the sustainability of lighting. Another important metal to the lighting industry is copper. Copper is also critical for electrification, electric motors, electric vehicles, and many renewable energy technologies.
The Copper Mark is a labeling program for copper producers to demonstrate more sustainable copper production. The Copper Mark also has programs for sustainable production of molybdenum, nickel, and zinc that are very similar in principle to sustainable copper production.
There is a complex aspect to increasing the sustainability of copper, however. It is the
“sustainable copper paradox.” On the one hand, copper is critical to a great many of the greenest technologies that are at the center of climate action policies, including electrification, electric vehicles, and renewable energy generation. Copper is also infinitely recyclable with no loss of mechanical nor electrical properties, when recycled.
On the other hand, high grade ores have been depleted, globally, and lower grade ores remain, which require greater energy and water, while producing greater volumes of waste. The paradox gets more complex because the electrification of mining machines will not allow the same intense operation that diesel-powered machines could do, even though electric mining machines are an expected component of the transition from fossil to renewable fuels.
You can learn more about The Copper Mark here.
Image: www.coppermark.org
Top image: www.coppermark.org
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