Mining

Introduction

The mining industry is growing rapidly. The demand for minerals is increasing at an unprecedented rate due to the world-wide transition to renewable energy. Achieving net zero carbon emissions globally by 2050, is expected to require six times more mineral inputs in 2040 than today. These developments impact the regions where we work. 

Mining and environmental assessment

Whilst mining activities can boost government revenue and create employment, it is also often accompanied by pollution, biodiversity loss and negative social impacts. The potential for detrimental impacts requires good governance of mineral resources. SEA at plan level and ESIA at project level provide opportunities to improve monitoring and enforcement of regulations in the mining sector and to work towards more responsible mining.

In the coming years, we intend to further explore possible activities with our partners on topics such as improved strategic decision-making on mining through SEA, mining in relation to biodiversity management, and labour conditions and ESIA follow-up.

SEA and IWRM in the mining sector

Mining sites near water resources can cause pollution on multiple levels. Water transports mining‑derived contaminants from tailings, waste rock, and processing plants to rivers, lakes, and aquifers, causing impacts on human health and the natural environment. When approaching the issues surrounding mining development in river basin management or land use planning, it is essential to integrate Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). SEA and IWRM add value for mining sector development, especially in identifying risks of mining activities for water resources in a wider river basin or landscape. They are important for a strategic impact assessment on river basin or landscape level, responsible and equitable water resources management, for collaborative governance, for identifying alternatives for development, and for improving wider stakeholder engagement.

The main advantages of combining SEA and IWRM in a mining context are summarised in the infographic below.