A new global report, Mining’s Moment, released by ABB, highlights the mining industry’s progress towards more sustainable operations. Surveying 412 mining leaders and experts across 18 countries, the study shows that 70 percent of mining leaders believe significant decarbonization can be achieved with existing technologies.

Business leaders are increasingly confident that they will meet their sustainability goals, with 15 percent expressing strong confidence in reaching their 2030 targets and 52 percent somewhat confident. Looking ahead to 2050, 48 percent of respondents are very confident in achieving their sustainability objectives.

Electrification, automation, and digital technologies are seen as essential for sustainable transformation, with 77 percent of surveyed leaders identifying them as the key areas through which sustainability goals can be reached. A notable number of companies are preparing for substantial changes: 53 percent anticipate a major transformation or complete overhaul of their operations, 28 percent are investing in moderate evolution, and 19 percent are focusing on incremental improvements. In total, 81 percent are committed to evolving their operations for greater sustainability.

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The study is part of ABB’s Real Progress campaign, which emphasizes the power of technology and expertise to accelerate sustainability and improve productivity. Mining faces a unique challenge: it must increase production to support the green energy transition while minimizing its environmental impact. The report highlights the industry’s response to this challenge, with 73 percent of leaders expressing excitement about the growing recognition of mining’s role in supplying materials for green technologies.

“There is palpable enthusiasm among business leaders about their contribution to the green energy transition, and they are taking the environmental impact of mining seriously,” said Max Luedtke, Global Business Line Manager for Mining at ABB Process Industries. “We can see this in the progress made towards sustainability targets, the willingness to invest in the necessary technologies, and the existing solutions available to drive real progress. However, we must not consider the job done yet. A significant portion of businesses are struggling to meet their goals. Our report outlines three key areas where investment can help mining companies become more sustainable step by step: investing in people, investing in technology, and investing in processes.”

According to the report, mining businesses can continue making significant progress towards sustainability by investing in people, technology, and processes:

• 44 percent of respondents identified a lack of expertise and skills as a significant barrier to decarbonization.
• 70 percent of respondents stated that their business is committed to reskilling and training current employees to support decarbonization efforts.
• Electrification is recognized as a crucial factor in decarbonization. A significant 91 percent of business leaders agree that electrification is either essential or part of their decarbonization strategy.

Additionally, 46 percent of respondents highlighted the risk of disruption to operations and production as a barrier to achieving sustainable transformation, underlining the need for a fresh approach to systems and processes. In line with this, 73 percent of respondents believe that the transformation of mining requires a new approach to both technology and risk management.

ABB’s Process Automation division plays a pivotal role in automating, electrifying, and digitalizing industrial operations to meet a variety of essential needs—from energy and water supply to production and transportation of goods. With around 20,000 employees, leading-edge technology, and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps customers across the process, hybrid, and maritime industries improve performance and safety, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

As a leader in electrification and automation, ABB is at the forefront of enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions combine engineering expertise with software to optimize how products are manufactured, transported, powered, and operated. With over 140 years of excellence, ABB’s 105,000 employees are dedicated to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation.

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