Environment

Why is SORDMiner better for the environment than traditional mining methods?
The SORDMiner is effectively a ‘keyhole' methodology gaining access to ore zones through a small surface entry point, obviating the need for large open cuts and waste dumps.

The environmental benefits of this, and the consequential long term cost savings to the community are immense.

Environmental Benefits

Energy Efficient low Carbon Emissions
SORDMiner is expected to substantially reduce the energy cost of producing a ton of iron ore or an ounce of gold. Or less for a conventional mine. This means that a SORDMiner could satisfy world demand for a commodity and reduce CO2 emissions by 80 %. As CSIRO put it, the SORDMiner could be

"the world's first clean, green, environmentally friendly mining machine"

Water

• Water requirements are sourced and returned in-situ.
  
• Thus water from valuable aquifers is conserved and returned to its natural reservoirs.
  
• Salinity and acid mine drainage problems may be overcome as all saline water is returned to the aquifer with no impact on the environment.

Waste

• The system is designed to extract ore with minimal dilution by waste, therefore waste movement is minimised.
  
• Waste may be returned to the subsurface, negating the need for waste dumps and tailings dams.
  
• No pre-stripping waste generation.
  
• The problems of acid mine drainage could be totally removed.

Small Footprint

• A SORD Co operation would utilize a small fraction (5%) of the area occupied by a conventional open cut mining operation and could still be only a fraction of most deep shaft mining operations
  
• Water is sourced and returned in-situ, thus negating the need for large storage dams
  
• By returning most waste to the subsurface, waste dumps or tailings dams are minimised
  
• Low waste to ore ratios - smaller processing facilities and mine infrastructure.
  
• Small ‘keyhole' entry point - no large pits, head frames or openings

Minimal Rehabilitation

• As surface disturbance is minimal with no or limited waste or tailings dumps, rehabilitation is accomplished quickly and at low cost.
  
• High production rates with low waste mining result in a short mine life, minimising the impact on the natural and social environment of an area.

Additionally, SORDMiner has the potential to add greatly to the resource inventory of Australia and the world by accessing mineral deposits that are currently quarantined for environmental considerations.