Handling Fuel With Care

The recent upheaval in the financial markets has added a number of new pressures on mine owners and managers; not the least of which involves managing cash flow and operating costs while also holding onto people and business volume.

But amid this re-ordering of priorities, is anyone still thinking about the commit-ment to become more environmentally conscious or has that been swept under the boardroom table as an unnecessary frill?

As we reorganize our priorities, I suggest looking at financial challenges and promises to the environment as one key initiative because when you really get down to it, the two are connected.

For most mining operations, fuel is still one of the larger operating expenses and the biggest contributor to pollution. Everyday, mining trucks, dozers, graders and even site cars and pick-ups spew hundreds of tonnes of pollutants into the atmosphere but the question still remains, how can we cut fuel consumption without destroying productivity?

The answer is to think greener and eliminate waste. When we eliminate wasted fuel we have cut toxic emissions as well as lowering fuel costs but how do we eliminate wasted fuel?

There are a lot of choices out there ranging from better fuel management through better planning, to using new technology to measure and manage fuel consumption, to improving the training of drivers and operators.

Everything helps and the biggest benefit to your company will be, without question, a cost saving and more money to the bottom line.

Most people think it costs money to become more environmentally friendly, but that is not true. Think about it this way: when you use less, you spend less. Plain and simple.

Becoming more efficient with your fuel consumption pays dividends to your company and the environment rather than adding cost. As mentioned before, there are lots of solutions to eliminating wasted fuel.

Once you have made a decision to cut wasted fuel and pollute less you have made huge strides towards becoming a leader in changing business attitudes. You have become a smarter company and there are big benefits. A smart company attracts more attention and a better calibre of clients. Add this to your list of standard company benefits and you will improve your corporate profile and enhance your market position.

As a smart company who has made a real decision to stop wasting the world’s resources you are making a contribution helping to reduce the stress on our planet. You are helping to create a better future for our children and grandchildren. This century will see new heroes created and you will become one of those pioneers. Now that’s something to tell your grand kids!

Jack Lee is the President and CEO of 4Refuel Inc, Vancouver.