Metals, Health and a Low-Carbon Future

 

The transition to a low-carbon economy generates strong demand for a number of sought-after metals – such as copper, cobalt and rare earth elements – which are needed for energy storage, renewable energy technologies and advanced electronics. 

 

However, the production of refined metals has an adverse impact on our health and on the environment. From extraction to refining, health burdens arise through the release of air pollutants, contamination of land and water as well as occupational risks. 

 

I recently wrote a paper on the subject which will be used as a background document for discussion at the upcoming OECD Green Growth and Sustainable Forum (Nov. 26-27) “Greening heavy and extractive industries”. It reviews these burdens and considers how they are affected by the drive for a circular economy, designed to keep extracted metal working for the economy through re-use and recycling. Recognition of the value of “waste” materials is growing through the development of cost-efficient recovery technologies and realisation of the growing scarcity of some strategic minerals, including metal ores.

 

Legislation, and its enforcement, is key to the limitation of health risks. Experience shows that companies can operate profitably within regulatory regimes that take firm action to control risks. The experience of profitable companies in highly regulated regions shows that advanced controls are, in fact, affordable. Further to emission controls and the implementation of safety regimes, the re-use of goods and recycling of materials is shown by numerous life cycle analysis studies to reduce health burdens. Increasing the efficiency of material use and avoiding or limiting the use of hazardous substances also reduces burdens on society.

 

Mining for metal ore needlessly remains a highly hazardous occupation in some countries. Where regulation is weak, significant risks can also be linked to recycling activities – for example in dismantling consumer electronics by hand or burning the plastic from copper wiring. A particular problem concerns so-called artisanal operations, involving subsistence workers, sometimes children, with little or no consideration given to safety. These conditions are not acceptable to the societies where most of the metals are eventually used.  Responsibility must be recognised through the supply chains that provide us with mobile phones and other advanced electronics. These problems are often further compounded by corruption that takes money away from people earning very little to begin with.  Creative solutions are needed, linking government and supply chain action. It must be recognised that the workers involved in many of these jobs usually lack other opportunities, raising the question of what they can do to support themselves and their families if prevented from mining. 

 

Policymakers need to recognise the potential offered by the circular economy, and of the avoidable risks to health imposed by poor practice. These and other related issues will be discussed among members of academia, the private sector and government at the OECD Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum, which will focus on how the shift to a circular and low-carbon economy might impact future demand and business models of the extractive and heavy industries.