1
Compiled by Dr. Joe Herbertson
June 2001
Sustainable Resource
Processing
Opportunity:
QNI
QNI, the nickel business of
Billiton, is underpinning its commitment to sustainable
development by working closely with The Natural Step in their Pathfinder program
–This means incorporating
the fundamental principles of sustainability into business strategy and performance
improvement
–It also involves extensive
education and training of employees
–Other TNS Pathfinder
companies in Australia are Interface [carpets] and Voyages, Hotels and Resorts [tourism]
•This is the first global
example of a minerals company engaging with The Natural Step framework
•QNI is building on the
concept of Product Stewardship and the links to competitiveness
•The Yabulu refinery in Townsville has excellent
opportunities
to further its contributions to sustainability
•The process is currently Greenhouse gas
intensive, with ~ 40 t CO2 equiv./ t product
• Energy costs are the
biggest cost element in production
•An innovative approach to achieving savings far
beyond incremental
would have major environmental and business benefits