Independence Group Sustainability Report 2019

advanced remote sensing technologies that will result in a decreasing need for land clearing. Remote sensing detects and monitors the physical and spatial characteristics of the earth’s surface by measuring a reflected electromagnetic or acoustic signal. Remote sensing from spaceborne, airborne and terrestrial platforms has long been used in mineral exploration to map surface geology, topography, vegetation, and subsurface geophysical features as well as to evaluate environments affected by mining industry activities. Since the mid- 2000s, remote sensing technologies have undergone substantial advances in data acquisition, processing and interpretation. At IGO, we pride ourselves on using cutting edge technologies and reinventing the application of older technologies. Within the last year we have made extensive use of technologies such as SpectremAir’s Airborne Electromagnetics platform, Spectrem, to detect sulphide mineralisation to >300m deep from the air; Surpracon’s Low Temperature Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) to detect mineralisation to depths up to 1200m; and 3D seismic geophysics in a hard-rock environment to better understand geology around our Nova nickel-copper-cobalt deposit to depths exceeding 5km below surface. We are also investigating the application of new analytical techniques, such as laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) (that is machine learning that integrates geophysical and geochemical data to enhance deposit targeting), and airborne short-wave and long- wave hyperspectral remote sensing techniques to help with geological and regolith mapping to optimise exploration planning and target generation. BETTER RESOURCE UTILISATION Proactively Green mining is characterised by better ways to exploit and maximise value from the resources we discover. This includes using less inputs, such as reagents, water and non-renewable energy; capturing more by-products; maximising down-stream value-add; and minimising wastes streams of all types including greenhouse gas emissions. IGO’s most significant impacts related to mining are resource use and waste management, including emissions. We consume a lot of energy, water and other consumables related to the beneficiation of ore, and produce a non-trivial amount of emissions and waste. Our assessment is that one of the most effective ways to both minimise emissions and improve productivity will be through the electrification and improved automation of mine plant and vehicles, and the increased use of renewable power sources and associated battery technology. We will see a transition to the use of autonomous plant that is monitored at a remote centralised location; perhaps at a major city as opposed to the mine. Along with electrification and improved automation, a Proactively Green mine will be the product of better planning and design. The combination of improved planning and automation will see profound changes to mine manning levels and the skills required of those involved; we will see mine ventilation design changes with the use of electric vehicles; and mine layout changes given the power of electric semi- or fully- autonomous mining equipment. We will see better by-product capture and recycling. We will see less water and energy being used per tonne of ore mined and beneficiated. We will see improved efficiencies, less emissions and less waste. We will see improved remote sensing that aids structural control and resource definition. Automation and improved remote sensing will also see improved impact assessment, monitoring, mitigation and remediation. In FY19, IGO has taken its first steps down this path. We are currently constructing a solar farm at our Nova Operation. We have also dedicated resources to the investigation and development of ways to introduce electrification at the Nova Operation, and IGO’s mines of the future. BETTER RESOURCE ACCESS Proactively Green mining is characterised by new technologies enabling deeper mining and the recovery of more diffuse mineral resources. One of the greatest challenges facing the industry in the mid- to long-term is the likely decrease in the number of near- surface economic ore bodies discovered. This will drive companies to develop new technologies. Whilst this is not likely to be a challenge for IGO anytime soon, we will continue to monitor advances in this area. 18 — IGO SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2019 SECTION 1 PROACTIVELY GREEN