Leading the way to net-zero emissions

Sandvik has set up ambitious sustainability targets. Lots of initiatives are ongoing across the company, aiming towards the targets, and the Rock Tools division within Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology has high sustainability ambitions.

“It is important that everybody is on board, working towards the same targets,” says Boel Schylander, Sustainability Manager who also believes the mining industry will play an important role towards a sustainable society.

A lot of work has been done since Boel Schylander took on the position as Sustainability Manager in March 2021, including mapping of greenhouse gases in the value chain to know where the largest climate impact occurs. Then you know what parts that are most important to work with.

Sustainable solutions become a business advantage since they help customers improve their sustainability and productivity.

“By developing products with longer service life, which means they can be used for a longer time, we use resources more effectively,” says Schylander. “And by making products that use less fuel we can help our customers decrease both their productivity costs and their emissions from fossil fuel when they produce ore. It is good of the environment and good for business.”

Rock Tools also work with its internal footprint: “We use a lot of electricity in our own operations and we make sure it is fossil-free, but it’s even more important that it’s used in an efficient way. We switch to LED lights, switch off machinery when it’s not used and have installed solar panels at different sites since there will not be enough fossil-free electricity available in the future.”

The mining industry is sometimes criticized for not being sustainable but Boel Schylander believes it has an important role to play.

“We all know a lot of metals is needed for electrification so we will need the mining industry and to extract more minerals and metals. But it is important to mine in a responsible way and also to increase recycling.”