The environmental and social profiles of mining companies are more important than ever, both in managing the companies’ reputations as well as enabling them to recruit and retain young talent and ensure the long-term sustainability of our industry.
In fact, the perception of poor performance of one mining company can – and does – impact outsiders’ views of the entire industry. It is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit students into university mining programs, as most major programs report declining enrolment in recent years.
Mining students and young professionals are increasingly selecting their disciplines
of study and employers of choice based on environmental and social branding and no longer solely on traditional metrics such as financial rewards and job stability. New recruits will be unlikely to opt for a mining company which has been singled out for its poor environmental and social performance.
Young professionals are also keenly aware of the impacts of climate change and the need to better protect the environment. Because of this, those who do select mining-related fields are more inclined to take an interest in 'green' technological developments and lower carbon alternatives to existing processes, such as climate change risk management and adaptation, electrified hauling fleets for mining and hydrogen-based steel products for steel production, for instance.
SRK has taken a lead in a diverse range of disciplines aimed at addressing these key issues; from using advanced data tools to help develop risk profiles and mitigation strategies for mining projects, to helping our clients develop and articulate their focus on water stewardship, to developing tools to facilitate increased transparency in carbon emissions of mining activities, to supporting decarbonisation efforts in mining. These are well-articulated in the articles in this publication. The result is attractive career paths for prospective mining professionals in the climate change era.
To encourage the next generation of professionals to enter the industry and to promote the long-term sustainability of the mining sector, the mining sector needs to strengthen its brand, making a greater effort to emphasise metals' necessity and showcasing its work in adopting more transparency and climatefriendly policies.
