As part of its commitment to responsible and sustainable mining practices, Agincourt Resources has initiated an innovative approach to managing mining process residues. By utilizing used lubricating oil as an additive in blasting operations, the Company not only manages hazardous and toxic waste (B3) more effectively but also embraces the principles of a circular economy within the Martabe Gold Mine area.
Used lubricating oil, a common B3 waste generated from the maintenance of heavy equipment and operational vehicles, typically requires special handling and incurs additional costs for transportation and third-party processing. However, based on technical assessments and limited trials, used oil has proven to retain sufficient energy content to serve as a partial substitute for fuel in the production of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO), the explosive material used in rock blasting activities.
The use of used oil as an alternative fuel component in ANFO presents dual benefits. Economically, the Company can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels such as diesel, which has traditionally been the primary fuel in ANFO, thereby enhancing operational cost efficiency. Environmentally, it reduces the volume of B3 waste that must be transported and disposed of externally, thereby minimizing the risk of environmental contamination and hazards during transport.
This initiative underscores Agincourt Resources’ firm commitment to improving environmental performance. The use of internal waste through the Waste Oil Processing Plant (WOPP) not only reflects resource efficiency but also aligns with the Company’s vision to promote greener, more sustainable mining operations.
While offering substantial advantages, the implementation of this method is carried out with strict caution. The entire process of incorporating used oil into ANFO mixtures has undergone a series of laboratory tests to ensure stability, detonation performance, and safety. Agincourt Resources also ensures that all procedures comply with occupational safety standards and applicable regulatory requirements. The Company continues to monitor and evaluate the implementation of this method on an ongoing basis and explores opportunities to develop similar technologies to optimize the utilization of other internal waste. Innovations like this serve as concrete evidence that sustainable mining is not only achievable but also capable of delivering tangible environmental and economic benefits.
