The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has initiated a three-year exploration into how to mitigate the impacts on nature of a global increase in demand for transition minerals.
The goal is to identify pathways to develop new mines for high-demand critical minerals that minimize harm to nature without slowing the energy transition away from carbon-based fuels.
ERM conducted a range of studies to understand supply and demand dynamics, innovation, regulatory structures, approaches to nature within the value chain, and decision-making regarding new mine development. The studies consisted of extensive desk research and over 70 interviews with mining industry leaders and stakeholders.
What is in this report
- An analysis of key nature-related impacts of mining across land, water, and biodiversity.
- A geographic mapping of mining clusters where expansion of critical minerals production would create the biggest threat to nature.
- Identification of pathways to avoid, minimize, and restore impacts on nature across the mining lifecycle.
- Identification of interventions companies can take to simultaneously lower their impact on nature and unlock long-term value and access to capital.
For the full analysis of how mining companies can decouple critical minerals supply growth from nature impact, download the report “Nature-smart mining: Opportunities to reduce the nature impact of mining and metals.”
