About SDG 7 — affordable and clean energy

Approximately one-quarter of global energy use is supplied by renewable energy, which is needed to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy costs and help provide energy to 759 million people that lack electricity. Copper is used in renewable energy systems to generate power from solar, hydro, thermal, and wind energy across the world.

About SDG 8 — decent work and economic growth

SDG 8 calls for continuous, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, promoting job creation and decent work for all. The copper industry generates hundreds of thousands of jobs, often in areas where safe, well-paid local employment opportunities are scarce. Mining also contributes to the consumption of goods and services in other industries, creating jobs beyond the mine site in additional sectors of the economy. The industry distributes billions of dollars in economic value across local and national economies in the form of wages, operating costs, financing and local community development. ICA members are committed to providing safe and sustainable workplaces to drive progress on this goal.

Sustainable Economic Growth

On average, ICA members surveyed generate $99 billion per year in the global economy. In 2020, 94 percent of the revenue was redistributed in the form of wages, operating costs, financing and local community development.

Improve resource efficiency and consumption in production

Average energy intensity per tonne of finished copper product at surveyed members' operations was 45 GJ in 2020. Declining ore grades have caused energy intensity to gradually increase over time, but innovations in mining and processing technologies have enabled the industry to increase productivity and extend the lifetime of existing mines. Additionally, energy required during production is often offset during the use phase. Seventy percent of copper goes to electrical end-use applications because it is the most efficient nonprecious conductor of heat and electricity.  Member examples include: Codelco Commits to Reaching Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 with its “100 Percent Clean Energy Matrix” and Rio Tinto Advances Clean Energy at Kennecott

Full employment and decent work with equal pay

ICA members surveyed provide employment to an average of 281,000 people across the globe every year. This does not include the hundreds of thousands of jobs created by industries using copper in other sectors of the economy. Many ICA members have committed to the ICMM Social and Economic Reporting Framework, which enables members to measure and report on workforce compensation, pay equality, provision of training and other business activities related to responsible employment. As an example, Connecting with Community: Conscientious Mining at Anglo American’s Quellaveco

Protect labor rights and promote safe working environments

Between 2011 and 2020, members cut the injury rate nearly in half, to 3.2 injuries/1 million hours worked. Significant investment in equipment and training, as well as industry-wide use of the ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) standard has driven progress on worker safety.

About SDG 9 —  industry, innovation and infrastructure

Copper is an essential contributor to renewable energy infrastructure, electrification and energy-efficient technologies, including everyday devices such as mobile phones and computers. In addition, copper production and recycling require significant investments in infrastructure to maintain and improve the sustainability of operations. Through innovations in technology and processes that reduce carbon emissions, energy requirements, water usage and materials intensity, ICA members are committed to making positive contributions to SDG 9.

Upgrade all industries and infrastructures for sustainability

ICA members spend billions of dollars per year on new and improved mining processes, conservation, equipment, research and development, environmental protection and occupational health and safety to develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient operational infrastructure. To learn more about the copper industry’s commitment to innovation for sustainability, see ICA’s interactive webpage on the Into the Modern Mine.

About SDG 11 — sustainable cities and communities

To make cities and communities safer, more resilient and sustainable, an increase in the application of innovative technologies is needed. Copper is already an important ingredient in our most innovative technologies, such as smart energy technology, aquaculture and electric cars, and its role in electromobility, energy efficiency, and renewable energy is growing. Copper production provides jobs and promotes a higher standard of living needed to meet SDG 11.

Copper is also a key material for green and healthy buildings. There are over 128 uses for copper in commercial building construction, resulting in improved water efficiency, better indoor air quality and less greenhouse gas emissions. The total volume of copper in smart city technology could nearly double from 2019 levels by 2025. Click here to learn more about copper’s role in green and healthy buildings.

About SDG 12 — responsible consumption and production

Copper’s ability to be infinitely recycled without losing its chemical or physical properties helps reduce global waste. On average, copper products contain more than 30 percent recycled content, and nine million tonnes of copper are recycled each year. ICA supports the copper industry’s efforts to recycle copper and reintroduce this valuable metal back into the economy. Due to copper’s resiliency and long-term use in applications, both primary and secondary production are needed to meet demand. ICA works with its members to track responsible production of copper through members’ voluntary reporting of CO₂ emissions, energy intensity, water reuse and recycling, and sustainability reporting rates.

Sustainable management and use of natural resources

The sustainable management of natural resources, such as water, helps ensure operations remain efficient and communities have access to natural resources. Copper mining and production require water. The ability to recycle and re-use significant amounts of water reduces the need to draw new water from the environment. In 2020, 67 percent of operational water requirements for copper production at surveyed members’ sites were met by recycled and reused water. ICA encourages all of its mining members to use the Water Reporting: Good practice guide (2^nd Edition) produced by ICMM.

Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and sustainability reporting

Ninety-five percent of ICA members publish a sustainability report or an integrated report containing sustainability information, of which 95 percent are third-party verified. 

About SDG 13 — climate action

Copper’s use in energy-efficient and renewable technologies makes it an essential resource for meeting SDG 13. ICA members are also taking action to reduce CO₂ equivalent emissions in their operations On average, 4.1 tonnes of CO₂ are emitted to produce one tonne of copper. See Freeport McMoRan’s use of cutting-edge technology to cut emissions, Teck’s commitment to low carbon production processes, and an example of the first ever carbon neutral copper cathode produced by BHP Billiton and Southwire.

Approximately 29 percent of global energy is supplied by renewable energy, which is needed to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy costs and help provide energy to 759 million people that lack electricity. Copper is a key component of renewable energy systems including solar, hydro, thermal and wind power and will continue to be part of reducing emissions on a global scale.