Doris Skenderas

Magnesite (MgCO₃) is a carbonate mineral, which is calcinated and further processed to generate magnesia (MgO) refractory materials and other products. MgCO₃ products are mainly used in the iron and steel industries, in cement manufacture as a refractory material, and as raw materials in the chemical industry, in agriculture, etc. The MgO refractory industry is linked with carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions released not only from the fuel combustion in the production process of MgCO₃, but also from its decomposition. Even though the exact amount of CO₂ eq. depends on the specific product, there is the urge to minimise the CO₂ emitted from MgO₃ processing. Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology has gained ground in recent years in this industry. The incorporation of CCU systems for the processing of fuel gases has been investigated as a means to contribute further to the decarbonisation of the extractive industries. The CO₂ captured through this process can be converted into a value-added chemical or liquid fuel. This study aims to overview the impact of the application of CCU technologies in MgCO₃ processing lines and the conversion of the captured CO₂ to methanol (MeOH). In this regard, the strengths (S), the weaknesses (W), the opportunities (O), and the threats (T) of the proposed concept will be discussed in a SWOT analysis coupled with the environmental and techno-economic aspects.

The mining industry is by nature a challenging and demanding sector. Beyond ore extraction, management, processing, and transportation are involved in mining activities. Mining operations, often located in geographically remote and isolated areas, are capital-intensive and have substantial environmental and social impacts. The sector is considered mature and conservative regarding innovation. Nevertheless, its multidimensional nature, combined with declining ore grades and the increased demand for scarce resources, generates an imperative for innovation and the adoption of new technologies. In line with Industry 4.0, Mining 4.0 is the framework for integrating technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), automated drones, 3D printing, robotics, sensors, data analytics for monitoring, and performance evaluation in the mining industry. The legislation, the regulatory framework, and governance arrangements often create barriers to the adoption of innovative concepts in the mining sector. This study is an overview of gaps, barriers, inefficiencies, and enablers in the regulatory framework of the mining sector in relation to the utilization of new technologies.