Waste management initiatives pay off at Abra
Endurance is finding new ways to increase recycling and reduce waste at the Abra site.
As an organisation committed to reducing its environmental impact, Endurance Mining is implementing a range of initiatives to improve sustainability at the Abra site while enhancing operational efficiency.
According to Sustainability Manager Gavin Lee, Endurance’s waste management strategy extends across the entire operation, covering both mining-related materials and waste generated within the accommodation village, with the overarching goal of reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
“Zero waste is always the goal,” says Lee. “Every time we identify a waste stream that can be diverted from landfill and put to better use, we move one step closer to achieving that outcome.”
Scrap metal and recycled steel generated through construction and mining activities are common waste streams across the mining industry. At Abra, these materials are collected and recycled, improving both site safety and environmental performance.
However, Lee says Endurance is also focusing on less obvious waste streams, finding practical ways to reduce landfill while improving site operations.
One recent initiative involved the purchase of an industrial baler to process cardboard waste generated from packaging used to transport equipment and food to site. Once compacted, the cardboard is backloaded for recycling and repurposing.
“This is a far better outcome than sending cardboard to landfill without considering how it can contribute to a local circular economy,” says Lee.
“Recycling cardboard helps address an operational waste-management challenge, improves sustainability outcomes and is ultimately a cost-neutral initiative with positive environmental benefits. It’s a practical improvement to how we manage waste onsite.”
Village recycling gains momentum
Earlier this year, the Cash for Cans program was introduced at the Abra Village. Cans and bottles are collected and sent for recycling every two months, with approximately 6,000 containers recycled in February alone. Proceeds from the program are returned to the Abra social club, benefiting employees.
“This significantly reduces the volume of waste going to landfill while also providing a direct benefit to staff, which helps encourage participation,” says Lee.
The site’s waste-reduction efforts have also extended to an unexpected item: soap.
Employees and contractors are provided with a bar of soap when they arrive onsite. Any unused soap is typically discarded when they leave, generating around five kilograms of waste each month.
Rather than sending the leftovers to landfill, Endurance now partners with Soap Aid to recycle the soap.
“Soap Aid recycles and redistributes the soap,” says Lee. “As a social enterprise, it provides employment opportunities for people who may otherwise struggle to find work and supplies soap to regional and vulnerable communities.
“As well as reducing waste onsite, it ensures the soap continues to provide value elsewhere in the community.”
Reuse benefits the local community
Repurposing materials through local community partnerships is also helping reduce waste while strengthening relationships with nearby pastoralists.
“Recently, we donated an old aluminium frame that would otherwise have gone to landfill to a pastoralist who planned to use it to support solar panels,” says Lee.
“Another pastoralist requested an unused shed for use on their property. It’s great to see these items being reused and delivering benefits beyond our site.”
Lee says Endurance is continuing to explore new opportunities to reduce landfill and increase resource recovery.
“We’ll keep looking at waste streams, both large and small, to identify where we can make a difference,” he says.
“Every time we successfully recycle or repurpose an item, we reduce the amount of waste that needs to be managed onsite and improve sustainability outcomes across the operation.”
