What is Mining's Contribution to Global GHG Emissions?

The mining industry has long operated under a cloud of assumptions about its environmental footprint, but new data from the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) reshapes how the sector's climate impact is understood.

Developed in partnership with Wood Mackenzie, the research provides mining operators with the first comprehensive emissions baseline across global operations, revealing that the industry's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is significantly lower than many stakeholders had believed.

For mining companies ramping up extraction of copper, lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements to meet surging demand from renewable energy infrastructure, the findings provide crucial clarity.

Global commitments made at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 have placed unprecedented pressure on mining operations to deliver critical minerals while managing environmental concerns. But the absence of transparent, industry-wide emissions data has left mining executives navigating sustainability pressures without clear benchmarks.

The ICMM analysis examined Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from 1,700 facilities across 14 commodities, representing 87% of global production. The findings show that, in 2024, mining activities accounted for just 3% of total greenhouse gas emissions, while metal production processes contributed 8%. Together, the mining and metals sector represented 11% of global emissions.

"Despite our sector's importance to the energy transition, up-to-date, publicly available and industry-wide data has been lacking, contributing to the circulation of misleading estimates," says Dr Emma Gagen, Director of Data and Research at ICMM.

Non-coal mining's limited footprint

For mining operators focused on transition minerals, the research offers particularly significant insight.

Non-coal mining accounted for only 0.54% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, while fugitive emissions from coal represented 2.46%. This distinction proves crucial for mining companies seeking to differentiate their operations in sustainability discussions.

The data reveals that steel production dominates sectoral emissions at 55%, followed by coal mining at 23% and aluminium production at 15%. The concentration reflects the carbon intensity of blast furnace-based processes, which currently account for approximately 70% of global steel production, rather than the extraction activities that define most mining operations.

Regional variations shape mining strategies

Understanding the geographic distribution of emissions informs strategic decisions for mining companies operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Asia generates 80% of sectoral greenhouse gas outputs, reflecting the region's role as both a major mining centre and the dominant processing hub for most commodities.

However, regional patterns vary considerably. While steel production drives emissions across most regions, particularly in Europe, where it accounts for 93% of mining and metals greenhouse gas output, Africa and the Middle East show different characteristics.

In these regions, aluminium production is responsible for 40% of emissions, suggesting varied decarbonisation priorities for mining operators depending on their geographic footprint.

Between 2020 and 2024, greenhouse gas emissions from mining and metal production increased by 3%, driven by mining intensity and growing global commodity demand.

The data reveals significant variations in emissions intensity across different commodities and regions, highlighting where mining companies can target decarbonisation efforts most effectively.

Decarbonisation opportunities for mining operators

For mining companies producing materials essential to renewable energy infrastructure, the path forward centres on operational improvements within their direct control.

Electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines all require substantial quantities of aluminium and steel, but mining operators can influence their emissions footprint through strategic choices.

Wholesale adoption of renewable energy across mining operations represents the most significant opportunity available to the sector.

Combined with vehicle electrification and operational efficiency improvements, these measures deliver meaningful emissions reductions while supporting increased production of transition minerals.

The ICMM dataset provides mining executives with the transparent baseline necessary for tracking progress against decarbonisation targets.

For an industry central to enabling the global energy transition, establishing clear accountability mechanisms through reliable data proves as valuable as the critical minerals being extracted.