Port Hedland Industries Council’s 2022 Pilbara Producer’s Forum will examine issues related to environmental, social, and governance against a backdrop of State Government backing an expansion of the port.
The industry initiative follows a similar forum in 2019 in which operators, technical specialists and government representatives discussed dust mitigation best practice in Port.
The forum will include representatives from PHIC members BHP, Roy Hill, Fortescue, Pilbara Ports Authority, Mineral Resources, Pilbara Minerals, Consolidated Minerals, and Sandfire Resources, mid-tier operators, and State and local government agencies.
Air quality and dust management continue to be important considerations, particularly with the development of best practice dust guidelines, but the forum will also examine issues relating to marine protection, noise, biodiversity, and water management.
Other topics include decarbonisation, the use of renewable energy including hydrogen, solar, and wind to provide carbon offsets, and the role of emerging technologies to meet decarbonisation targets.
PHIC Chief Executive Officer Kirsty Danby said that while major mining companies understood the importance of their obligations under ESG, there was now an expectation that smaller companies and port suppliers have similar responsibilities.
The flow-on effect of this is important for the operations of those smaller companies but also the supply chain implications of the larger companies.
“Sharing knowledge in this open and collaborative way is important to support the ongoing growth of the Port, which ensures the future of Port Hedland,” Kirsty said.