SHORT COURSES

Level: Intermediate 

Facilitator: François Lachance, BBA 

Scenario: 

This offering will be in a Workshop format.  

You are part of a team working for a mining company that has committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This workshop will focus on the key steps, strategies, and action plans required to achieve this goal. The main questions to address include: 

• Where do you start? 

• How should you proceed? 

• What are the key factors to consider? 

• Who are the stakeholders? 

Workshop Objective: 

This session aims to highlight the key priorities and sensitivities necessary for creating effective plans to meet decarbonization targets announced to the market. A multidisciplinary team of SMEs will present different perspectives on the key factors to consider when preparing a decarbonization plan. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with these SMEs during the workshop to deepen their understanding and reflections. 

Learning Outcomes: 

By the end of the workshop, participants will have:

1.An Enhanced Understanding of Corporate Aspirations and Their Impact on Daily Mine Operations 

• Integration of decarbonization objectives with core business fundamentals. 

• Preparing for a shift in organizational culture.  

• Exploring financial considerations with insights. 

2.Experience with a Transformation Framework 

• Hands-on experience with a framework designed to help mining companies start their transformation journey. 

3.An Appreciation of the Role of Digital Technologies 

• Understanding how digital innovations can support decarbonization and sustainability pathways in mining.  

4.Opportunities to Engage with Industry Experts 

• Networking opportunities to interact with professionals specializing in decarbonization, energy efficiency, and digital transformation. 

Agenda (preliminary): 

1.Introduction and Overview 

• Context Setting: Why decarbonization is a priority in mining. 

• Company commitments and GHG reduction goal. 

2.Key Factors in Decarbonization Strategy 

• Identifying strategic objectives. 

• Risk assessments and market demands. 

• Integrating sustainability with profitability. 

3.Attaching Decarbonization to Business Fundamentals 

• Aligning sustainability goals with financial health. 

• Case study presentation on successful implementation. 

• Insight from Mining and Process experts: Financial perspectives and considerations. 

4.Local Perspectives: Environmental, social considerations 

• Addressing unique challenges in Arctic environments (cold climate, infrastructure needs). 

• Managing decarbonization in hot environments (water scarcity, heat management). 

• Insight from social acceptance and environmental experts 

5.Energy Considerations 

• Energy scarcity: Assessing the availability and limitations of key energy sources. 

• Evaluating electric power availability, natural gas, and other renewable energy sources (wind, solar, hydro). 

• Exploring energy efficiency solutions for high-energy-consuming mining operations. Where energy efficiency fits in your decarbonation pathway? 

6.Cultural Change and Organizational Shifts 

• Preparing teams for transformation. 

• Encouraging sustainable practices at all levels of the organization. 

• Insight from a Culture change management expert 

7.Digital Technology and Decarbonization 

• How tech innovations like IoT, AI, and data analytics can reduce emissions. 

• Tools and software for tracking and managing GHG emissions. 

• Insight from Digital expert 

8.Health and Safety Impact 

• Assessing how decarbonization initiatives influence health and safety practices. 

• Mitigating risks associated with new technologies and operational changes. 

9.Interactive Transformation Framework Session

• Introducing a step-by-step framework for leading decarbonization in mining. 

• The workshop will include three to four group activities aimed at designing a decarbonization roadmap and an effective action plan  

10.Closing and Networking 

• Recap of the workshop’s key takeaways. 

• Open floor for discussions with experts from various fields (decarbonization, mining, environmental, energy efficiency, digital transformation, etc.). 

Short Course Objectives: 

This session aims to highlight the key priorities and sensitivities necessary for creating effective plans to meet decarbonization targets announced to the market. A multidisciplinary team of SMEs will present different perspectives on the key factors to consider when preparing a decarbonization plan. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with these SMEs during the workshop to deepen their understanding and reflections. 

Target Audience:  

Energy manager, decarbonization director, mining operators, manager, environmental superintendents. 

About the instructor(s):  

Mr. François Lachance brings over 20 years of expertise in energy efficiency, with extensive experience in the mining sector since 2006. His diverse engineering background in mechanical, automation, and instrumentation has positioned him as a key contributor to numerous high-stakes projects, including mining site operations and off-grid power plants, where he has held influential roles such as Engineering Director, Field and Construction Engineer, and Commissioning Manager for complex installations in challenging Arctic environments. Renowned for his specialization in energy efficiency, Mr. Lachance actively contributes as a Subject Matter Expert in various decarbonization studies. He leads steering committees on multiple decarbonization initiatives at BBA and serves as a director at BBA’s headquarters, where he oversees a dynamic team of 400 professionals focused on decarbonization, energy transition, and digital transformation.