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Our Projects & Society

 

Kevin Beauchamp, Global Director, Mining

 

The transition to green technologies is essential for meeting our climate ambitions. The challenge for society is that the energy transition requires significant inputs of critical minerals. This means the role of responsible mining in the coming years will be more important than ever.

The need to keep global temperature rise to a minimum, and targeting a change below 2 degrees, is well documented. To accomplish this the world must transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy over the next two decades. This is no small effort, but the technologies to make the transition are well established including wind, solar, and hydropower. Examples of implementation on an industrial scale are becoming more common, and continued advancements in these technologies are accelerating adoption.

After renewable energy gets established, and once the initial infrastructure is complete, the maintenance of these systems will require far less inputs compared to what’s required to sustain todays fossil fuel-based power generation. It is easy to imagine a future where a circular economy can support and maintain renewable energy infrastructure.

In the green transition, the role of responsible mining is more important than ever.
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The challenge we face as a society is moving from what we have today to get to that initial set up. The mineral inputs for wind and solar power, and for the associated infrastructure of electrification and battery storage, will require significant inputs of certain critical minerals. Recycling alone will only provide approximately 10% of supply requirements by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency. Critical minerals generally include lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, and other rare earth elements. Recognizing the importance to future ambitions, many governments have also developed critical mineral strategies to support the responsible development of these raw materials.

To put it plainly, we, as a society, need more critical minerals if we are to meet our climate ambitions. And this is the crucial role of mining companies, to responsibly produce these essential elements to the energy transition.

Mining companies are gearing up to provide the raw materials our cities and communities need, while reducing their own carbon footprint. With 4,400 people in WSP’s global mining business, we also have an important contribution to make. Whether it’s developing new mines for critical minerals or increasing the efficiency or longevity of existing mines, we partner with companies who have strong ESG commitments to deliver the resources our world needs.

Learn more about the wide array of mining services WSP provides

Purposeful Impact

As one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms, our ability to contribute to a low-carbon world is substantial. Our 2022 Global ESG Report is a testament to our capacity to create a purposeful impact.