Rethinking mining infrastructure in a warming Arctic

UBC Applied Science is pioneering Arctic Research and Development activities in Western Canada, leveraging its multidisciplinary expertise, Pacific gateway location and established Indigenous partnerships.

In Canada’s Arctic, shorter ice‑road seasons and thawing permafrost are forcing mining companies to rethink how infrastructure is designed, powered and maintained over decades. In this context, resilient engineering is not just about withstanding extreme conditions alone, but requires anticipating long‑term changes in a rapidly warming environment.

Dr. Ali Madiseh is working at the intersection of energy systems, climate adaptation and mining engineering. As an Associate Professor at UBC’s Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Advanced Mine Energy Systems, he leads research with multiple partners to help mines prepare for the future by reducing energy use and pursuing electrification.

We spoke with Dr. Madiseh about how mines can adapt to climate change in northern regions while also meeting targets to lower emissions to net zero – research that offers valuable insight for both the mining sector and for infrastructure planning in other climate-vulnerable areas.

What’s driving the urgency to cut emissions in the mining sector?

Mining accounts for just under 10% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and because the sector is both a significant source of Canada’s wealth and a very energy-intensive endeavour, finding ways to reduce its environmental footprint is a priority.

Remote mines are predominantly powered by diesel, which must be shipped in to provide power, electricity, heat and motor power for trucking and equipment.

This is a significant balance sheet cost that also comes with significant carbon emissions. A single mine in the Northwest Territories, for example, might account for one-third of the region’s emissions.

Many mining companies have pledged to be net zero by 2050. In mining terms, 2050 is tomorrow. Major infrastructure decisions take years to plan and implement and systems are designed to be robust and reliable for the long term.

Tell us about your research on decarbonizing mine energy systems

I work with mining companies to explore decarbonization scenarios that are appropriate for each site. Some initiatives, like electrifying vehicle fleets, are easier to implement than others. Recovering waste heat is another option that’s relatively accessible. An underground exhaust shaft might typically move 400 to 1000 kilograms of air per second to the surface; we can capture that heat and redirect it to the intake for heating. Diesel generators also produce a lot of waste heat that can be recovered and used for heating.

Electrification is another area of focus, whether through battery-electric systems, hydrogen fuel and/or hybrid approaches. I run simulations and develop models to evaluate these options.

I am also looking at more energy-efficient techniques to cut rock, such as microwave-assisted rock-cutting systems, which weaken the rock and make it easier to cut by mechanical means.

What does climate adaptation look like for mines in the north?

In addition to reducing their impact on climate change, mining operations also need to adapt to a changing climate. This looks different depending on your location. In Australia, for example, many mines face increasing risk of flash floods, whereas Canada’s northern mines face the critical issue of thawing permafrost, which jeopardizes the geotechnical stability of underground development as well as surface roads and infrastructure.

One way to mitigate this and protect infrastructure is through ground freezing.

Ground freezing is vastly used in many civil, tunneling and mining operations (more specifically in Canada’s potash and uranium mines) to provide ground stability prior to and during rock excavation. However, ground freezing is extremely energy and cost intensive. However, with climate change compromising permafrost and presenting serious geotechnical challenges to our infrastructure in Arctic regions, artificial ground freezing is increasingly being considered as a solution to repair permafrost and guarantee geotechnical safety.

In collaboration with partners from McGill University, we have developed advanced experimental and numerical tools to optimize ground freezing units and integrate renewable energies into these systems.

Why do clean energy investments matter beyond operations?

Here’s an example from the Diavik Diamond Mine. In 2012, the mine installed wind turbines that provide about 10 percent of the mine’s power, reducing reliance on diesel and in 2024, it installed solar panels that are further reducing diesel consumption and its associated emissions.

These investments deliver additional benefits. With the mine set to close in 2026 and remediation continuing until 2029, the on-site renewable energy systems will reduce diesel requirements during the reclamation period when fuel delivery might be more challenging and costs remain high. These renewable energy systems should significantly reduce requirements for diesel during the reclamation period when there are still access constraints but operational flexibility is reduced.

What does a credible path to net zero look like in mining?

Reaching net zero by 2050 is a very big ask, but this goal was set in place to protect future generations from extreme climate impacts.

You don’t get to net zero in one jump. It’s a step-by-step process of continuous progress and coordinated action.

Over the next five years, there are lots of options available. But for companies looking five to 10 years out, and then beyond that, mines need strategic, site-specific decarbonization plans. A copper mine in Canada will have a different plan than a potash mine and even potash mines differ significantly based on their location. Each has its own unique geology and processes and will require its own due diligence.

What makes UBC a leader in this area?

UBC has become a hub for sustainable mining technologies and approaches. We have a strong community of faculty working to improve the environmental performance of mining, supported by long-standing connections with leaders working in the areas of social sciences, sciences and business. Our facilities are also fantastic, including the Coal and Mineral Processing Laboratory, which houses a full-scale high-pressure grinding roll that is unique in the world.

Coal and Mineral Processing Laboratory

When people talk about resilient infrastructure, the question is: resilient to what? Many things need to be considered, from climate change and acid rock drainage to tailings risks. At UBC, we have experts across these areas and this kind of interdisciplinary breadth is essential for tackling the complex challenges facing the industry.

Final thoughts?

The challenge in the Arctic is not whether we can go and develop a mine. The challenge is being able to do so while thinking decades ahead and anticipating a changing environment. Today, we build ice roads to transport equipment and materials during a short seasonal window of a few months. But what happens if, 20 years from now, conditions are such that ice roads are not an option? That’s a very different scenario and it requires rethinking how we design infrastructure and plan for the future.