Unearthing Power: The Intersection of Mining, Megawatts and Mother Nature

Climate and nature goals face a paradox: to address the worst impacts of climate change, mining and minerals are essential to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

However, some environmentalists raise concerns about potential impacts that extractive industries and some renewable energy projects (such as wind farms or hydroelectricity) could potentially have on nature and biodiversity.

Are these goals really at odds? And if they are, what can be done about it? To find out more, WSP experts in energy, mining, natural resources and environment offer their thoughts about mining and its critical role in advancing decarbonization efforts: Andy Macklin, senior vice president, Power and Energy business line; Jim Daly, vice president, geotechnical engineer, mining; Tim Langer, PhD, vice president, natural resources lead; and Lori Fox, senior vice president, environmental planning.

1. To start, give a brief overview about the "state of play" in your area of expertise – as well as any interdependencies between your area and the others?

Andy Macklin: In a word, the state of play for the energy transition is busy. There is a ton of momentum. We not only have an energy transition underway but also tremendous new power needs coming from sectors like data centers. There is a race to build enough renewable energy and find enough diverse resources to enable greater stability for the electric grid. We are limited by the existing transmission and distribution system and the need for infrastructure.

We have a lot of questions that intersect with this, which include how you move through the permitting and planning processes quickly enough to be able to design and build the infrastructure that is needed to keep up with the energy transition. Innovative solutions are emerging in the energy transition. The big obvious one is battery storage. While batteries aren’t a new concept, there is considerable new thinking about how they are made, what they are made of, and how they are used. Yet, all batteries require the mining for raw materials. There will be a significant increase in the quantity of those materials needed when considering storage at scale.

Jim Daly: I see a growing recognition of the strategic nature of critical minerals and governmental actions to protect access to that resource. Mining companies are putting a lot of effort into decarbonizing their operations and improving their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, in line with stakeholder expectations. Clean energy sources and the electrification of fleets is one area of focus. We are seeing a real uptick in opportunities, especially for clients with minerals in growing demand, like lithium. Mining companies are looking to consultants for expertise in transitioning their energy sources and improving biodiversity and nature-positive outcomes at their sites. 

Lori Fox: I am in the federal planning and compliance side of the organization, which has some interesting areas of intersection with our mining and energy businesses. Phase Two National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations were published recently and their time limits should assist in facilitating environmental compliance where federal lands are involved. Environmental justice is becoming a major focus for federal agencies. This will be important to move the mining and energy industries forward in ways that better safeguard nature.

Tim Langer: I think the focus is increasingly on the nexus of these issues. Lori and I overlap a lot with our interests and background. I have worked with federal and private partners on restoration or recovery projects both locally and on a larger scale, and I see overlaps between environmental restoration, project permitting and reducing the environmental impact of activities like mining. We have the experience and capability to not only get the permitting done but also offset the effects of mining and environmental impacts. These areas must come together – and, increasingly, they are.

2. What is a common myth or misunderstanding about your area of focus and/or the way it intersects with the others?

Macklin: In our polarized age, many misunderstand where energy comes from, how it works, how it is produced and the economics behind it. There is a strong perception that renewable energy is heavily subsidized, but a lot of renewable energy is now competitive with traditional resources. Another misconception is that it is not produced responsibly. While there may be some cases where that is partially correct, it doesn’t reflect what I see every day. Decisions aren’t made lightly, for a number of reasons. Renewable energy production requires a lot of expertise, money, time and infrastructure, and companies seriously consider various factors including environmental and social impacts.

Daly: As the world moves away from fossil fuels and replaces them with cleaner energy sources, more mining is required. The decarbonization of mining operations and mitigating environmental impacts are critical to helping us reach climate goals.

Fox: Many people see the NEPA and regulations as roadblocks. In reality, this does not have to be the case. My team is working to ensure regulations deliver on their intended promise but do not interfere with activities that are critical to the energy transition and other national priorities.

Langer: There is a lot of outdated knowledge about the mining industry. Many people are familiar with the worst perception of mining and incorrectly believe it cannot be done in an environmentally responsible manner. Another misunderstanding is the tradeoff between short-term and long-term effects and how to evaluate projects based on the big picture. Planning and understanding environmental factors at the outset of a project can achieve a win-win.

3. What do you see as the most promising innovations or emerging trends that could positively impact or enhance the way each area impacts the others?

Macklin: We are increasingly seeing mining clients work to deliver on their ESG targets. That can involve decarbonizing their operations by using renewable energy in mining activities and electrifying their equipment to reduce their own emissions. Some are redeveloping mined lands to generate renewable energy, like solar farms, particularly if the area might not be suitable for other uses. By working on these themes, we can help mining organizations be more sustainable and partner with the grid to build resiliency and improve their profit and loss at the same time.

Daly: All industries impact the environment, mining included. But mining has been under particular pressure around ESG performance. In many ways, I think the mining industry has benefited from that scrutiny, since it has brought the industry ahead of the curve with more advanced ESG planning, implementation and mitigation efforts. For example, the International Council on Mining and Metals has global industry standards that member companies adhere to, and many of our mining clients have strikingly ambitious goals and commitments. The industry has demonstrated the potential for projects with no net biodiversity loss. I am not sure that other industries are quite at that commitment level. Particularly as mining takes center stage as the world focuses on urgent climate commitments, I see an opportunity to raise awareness around where the industry is today.

Fox: One of the trends I am seeing is the increased need for infrastructure to support both alternative energies and increased mining. For instance, in various projects, we need the incorporation of smart grids that efficiently manage renewable energy distribution while maintaining optimal structure and functionality. This trend is gaining popularity in projects to support electric transportation. To illustrate, at Zion National Park we recently worked on a new eight-mile trail extension because e-bikes have taken over where the shuttles are and the shuttles have all gone electric, too. We need to ensure we have the appropriate infrastructure to support all these emerging technologies and modes of transportation while keeping them functional.

4. What needs to happen (i.e., who needs to do what?) to minimize risks and/or capitalize on opportunities?

Macklin: As we look at the intersection of energy and mining, mining being energy-intensive and also critical for the energy transition, we should look for those win-wins in planning and implementing infrastructure at mines. This can help mines reduce their impact, and make them a proactive consumer, “prosumer,” in the energy transition. This can be done with nature and biodiversity in mind.

Fox: Again, thinking downstream, we need to make sure we have the talent to deliver on these projects. There are phenomenal scientists with expertise and passion for the environment, but there is a shortage of talent in the mining industry. There is a need for trained scientists like hydrologists, biologists and geologists on the inside who can make a real difference in advancing responsible mining. We need more planners, analysts, engineers and digital experts, people who are trained with a Future Ready® mindset, who ask questions about the intersection between each of these domains and who can work to find new solutions to advance responsible mining practices. We need to prepare professionals to drive decarbonization efforts in the mining industry. Today, the talent pipeline even for traditional work looks a bit concerning.

Daly: One of the areas of biggest risk, which also presents great opportunities, is in mine closure. Unplanned closures can leave behind hazards and risks to the environment and people, as well as economic impacts to communities. But well-planned closures, which begin at the earliest stages of a mine’s development, can present opportunities and benefits well after the mine-life is over. There are really interesting innovations being applied to closed mine sites ranging from pumped hydro using mined-out pits, to solar farms on mine-impacted lands, to using mine waste areas for carbon sequestration. These innovations not only help meet energy demands and net zero goals, but also minimize the need for new land development. This is great for protecting natural habitats and preserving biodiversity. We can optimize energy production by addressing risks and opportunities while responsibly using our planet's natural resources.

5. What is your closing thought, including any resources your area of focus might offer the others?

Macklin: The energy sector must prioritize better understanding and collaboration concerning the infrastructure requirements of the energy transition. The energy transition is complex because it includes economic and environmental impacts while considering production costs, infrastructure needs and processing time. Finding ways to incorporate renewable energy sources into mining while keeping the grid stable to keep up with the energy demands is needed.

Daly: The mining sector is evolving, and the future will bring a shift towards underground mining to reduce environmental impact while continuing resource extraction. I think we bring a willingness to explore new approaches alongside valuable insights from years of experience on the front lines of addressing environmental concerns.

Fox: Environmental practices bring expertise in understanding diverse stakeholder concerns and in engaging with regulators and ensuring compliance. By understanding the potential benefits of regulations – instead of letting them become barriers – we can facilitate a sustainable mining environment and better outcomes.

Langer: As mentioned by my colleagues above, we cannot underestimate the need for detailed planning, and there could be benefits to planning and sharing insights across sectors. We can pursue mining projects while safeguarding biodiversity, both through the mines themselves and through the green transition that mines enable.

Discover how WSP is taking energy evolution forward.