How The Mining And Metals Sector Accelerate Nature Efforts
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Mining and metals companies provide building blocks for the global economy — materials used in everything from the construction industry, energy and transport infrastructure, manufacturing equipment, consumer goods (such as vehicles and electronics), agriculture, and defense sectors. They also tend to be carbon intensive. Overall, 9.6 billion metric tons of metal ores were extracted in 2020 alone, equivalent to 10% of global material extraction. 

Future demand growth for the sector will be driven to a large degree by the clean energy transition, given the key role metals and minerals — such as aluminum, copper, cobalt, nickel, lithium, and rare earth elements – will play in supporting the scale-up of energy transition infrastructure and the electrification of the transport and mobility system. Indeed, critical mineral demand is expected to increase four to six times by 2040. 

Like other sectors, the mining and metals sector and nature are intrinsically interlinked — and, at the same time, at odds. The sector depends on environmental assets and ecosystem services to function and grow, especially the metals and minerals in the ground and large amounts of fresh water. Yet, at the same time, the mining and metals sector contributes to drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption through its land and water use, pollution, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Mining operations are estimated to cover up to 100,000 square kilometers of the world’s terrestrial surface (equivalent to 0.07%), and 8% of global mining properties coincide with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Protected Areas. A total of 16% of critical mineral mines are located in highly water-stressed areas, and over half of energy transition-linked minerals are located on or near Indigenous Peoples’ lands. 

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By taking five priority actions on nature, the mining and metals sector can unlock more than $430 billion of value by 2030

Key actions for a nature-positive mining and metals sector

Transform operations across the mine life cycle

Avoid, then reduce, the land, pollution, and emissions impacts of mining operations and restore across the mine life cycle in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy. 

Improve water stewardship

Avoid, then reduce, water abstraction, use, and pollution in mining operations, and improve water stewardship across landscapes. 

Expand circularity and source responsibly

Expand circularity across the value chain, embrace standards and transparency, engage with suppliers and source responsibly, and collaborate with and support customers. 

Restore and regenerate landscapes

Support nature conservation and restoration with local communities across and beyond their own value chains and invest in innovative nature financing mechanisms. 

Transform policy systems and collaborate across sectors

Call on governments to strengthen nature-related policy and support cross-sector and cross-industry collaboration. 

These priority actions could unlock more than $430 billion in annual business opportunities by 2030 for companies operating across the sector’s value chain, presenting a significant opportunity for the mining and metals sector in the new nature-positive economy.

Navigating nature-related risks across industries 

We partnered with the World Economic Forum to release a series of reports detailing the material impacts and dependencies on nature of 12 global industries, including the automotives industry, mining and metals, chemicals, household and personal care products, and concrete and cement. Developed in collaboration with World Business Council For Sustainable Development, these reports outline priority actions within sectors to avoid and reduce negative impacts, mitigate nature-related risks, and unlock opportunities across value chains.