Abstract
Indirect upstream (Scope 3) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions may be a significant source of GHG emissions for mining facilities. Upstream sources of GHG associated with purchased goods may include the embedded carbon within the good and the transportation of the goods to a facility. Mine design choices may significantly influence upstream GHG emissions associated with purchased goods.
Greenhouse gas emissions were estimated for a lithium mine (the Mine) to evaluate the decarbonization potential for different mine design options. The Mine observed that the volume and constituents of purchased goods changed substantially between the different mine design options. In addition to estimating Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (grid power) GHG emissions for the different mine design options, the Mine was also interested in estimating upstream Scope 3 emissions associated with purchased goods, since the volume and constituents of purchased goods were variable between the different design options.
Comparing the Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 GHG emissions for the different mine designs, the Mine was able to demonstrate that decarbonization opportunities associated with upstream Scope 3 emissions were just as large in magnitude as the decarbonization opportunities associated with Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions.