Gold mines produce more emissions than Africa’s largest oil country

Gold mines consume around 11 percent of global energy, resulting in annual carbon dioxide emissions of around 126.4 million tons, according to the World Gold Council (WGC).

The resulting emissions from gold mining are equivalent to Nigeria’s emissions, the second largest oil producer in Africa.

Researchers at WGC refer to the annual carbon footprint of the gold industry as minor yet worthy of notice. It is estimated to around 0.4 percent of annual global emissions.

The mining phase is considered the main source of greenhouse gases, which is a heavy-consuming energy phase. Electricity is the highest emitting energy source, and energy emissions constitute around 95 percent of the total emissions of the industry.

Reaching the 1.5 °C global target requires replacing no less than 55 percent of fossil fuels with renewable sources or replacing more than 30 percent of energy network supply with renewable sources.