Skip to content
WSP WSP
WSP WSP
  • Who we are
    We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative engineering experts, scientists and advisors.

    Who we are
    • Our story
    • Corporate responsibility
    • Our leadership
    • Our impact
    Corporate responsibility
    • Communities
    • Corporate governance
    • Ethics and integrity
    • Health and safety
    • Inclusion and belonging
    • Sustainability
    Featured content
    Thn-Web-Our-Impact
    Unlocking potential everywhere

    As Visioneers we see the potential everywhere, harnessing it to embrace the complex…

  • What we do
    We work together with clients to plan, design, create and deliver innovative projects that shape the world.


    View All

    • Sectors
    • Services
    • Projects
    What we do
    • Property and Buildings
    • Transport and Infrastructure
    • Environment
    • Energy, Industry and Resources
    Featured content
    thn-net-zero
    How to Net Zero

    How WSP can help you decarbonize with confidence

  • Insights
    Our global experts offer compelling insights that provide new perspectives.

    Read inspiring articles that challenge the status quo by reframing current issues, sparking fresh conversations and finding new solutions.

    View all
    Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
    Featured content
    thn-Digital Project Delivery
    Pursuing Sustainability and Productivity Gains with Digital…

    WSP's Digital Project Delivery white paper explores how to enable projects to be…

  • Careers
    What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

    With us, you can. Make your best impact with WSP, where the culture and people also make it the best work of your life.

    Find out more
    Careers
    • Job opportunities
    • Early career
    • Experienced professionals
    • Why join us?
    Featured content
    Thn-Web-Careers-Why-Join-WSP
    Why join us?

    At WSP, you will find the space you need to think bigger and build a career…

  • Who we are
    • Our story
    • Corporate responsibility
      • Who we are
      • Accountable for Tomorrow
        • Communities
        • Corporate governance
        • Ethics and integrity
        • Health and safety
        • Inclusion and belonging
        • Sustainability
    • Our leadership
    • Our impact
  • What we do
    • Property and Buildings
    • Transport and Infrastructure
    • Environment
    • Energy, Industry and Resources
  • Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
  • Careers
    • Job opportunities
    • Early career
    • Experienced professionals
    • Why join us?
Select your language and location

We are locally dedicated with international scale.

International
  • Global
    English — Français
Americas
  • Brazil
    Português
  • Canada
    English — Français
  • Chile
    Español
  • Colombia
    Español
  • Mexico
    Español
  • Panama
    Español
  • Peru
    Español
  • United States
    English
Africa
  • South Africa
    English
Asia
  • China
    中文(简体) — English
  • Hong Kong
    English
  • India
    English
  • Indonesia
    English
  • Malaysia
    English
  • Philippines
    English
  • Singapore
    English
  • South Korea
    한국어(대한민국) — English
  • Thailand
    English
Europe
  • Denmark
    Dansk
  • Finland
    Suomi
  • France
    Français
  • Germany
    Deutsch
  • Hungary
    English
  • Italy
    Italiano
  • Netherlands
    Nederlands
  • Norway
    Norsk
  • Poland
    Polski
  • Romania
    English
  • Spain
    Español
  • Sweden
    Svenska
  • Switzerland
    Deutsch — Français
  • Turkey
    Turkish
  • United Kingdom
    English
Middle East
  • Kuwait
    English
  • Oman
    English
  • Qatar
    English
  • Saudi Arabia
    English
  • United Arab Emirates
    English
Oceania
  • Australia
    English
  • New Zealand
    English
Worldwide offices
    • Investors
      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Find out more
      Investors
      • Corporate governance
      • Press releases
      • Reports and filings
      • Stock information
      • Shareholder information
      • Presentations and events
      Corporate governance
      • Audit committee
      • Board of directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating documents
      • Governance documents
      • Governance ethics and compensation committee
      • Mandates
      Reports and filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR+ filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock information
      • Analyst coverage
      Shareholder information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • FAQ
      Featured content
      Thn-Web-IR-2025-Q1-Results
      WSP's Q1 2025 Results

      We released our 2025 first quarter results on May 7, 2025 after market close.

    • Investors
      • Corporate governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit committee
          • Board of directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating documents
          • Governance documents
          • Governance ethics and compensation committee
          • Mandates
      • Press releases
      • Reports and filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR+ filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst coverage
      • Shareholder information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and events
    • News
      Progress happens quickly.

      Stay up to date with our latest global news, events, awards and more.

      News
      • Latest news
      • Events and webinars
      Featured content
      thn-climate-change-2025
      Climate Change Webinars

      Discover case studies addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation projects.…

    • Contact us
      We are dedicated to our local communities and driven by global talent.

      Contact us to find out how our diversified offering, world-class expertise and geographical reach can assist you in achieving your vision.

      Contact Us

      Follow us

      Contact us
      • Request a proposal
      • Send a message
      • Find an expert
      • Offices
      Featured content
      Our Offices

      With offices throughout the world, you can connect with one close to you.

    • Investors
      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Find out more
      Investors
      • Corporate governance
      • Press releases
      • Reports and filings
      • Stock information
      • Shareholder information
      • Presentations and events
      Corporate governance
      • Audit committee
      • Board of directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating documents
      • Governance documents
      • Governance ethics and compensation committee
      • Mandates
      Reports and filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR+ filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock information
      • Analyst coverage
      Shareholder information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • FAQ
      Featured content
      Thn-Web-IR-2025-Q1-Results
      WSP's Q1 2025 Results

      We released our 2025 first quarter results on May 7, 2025 after market close.

    • Investors
      • Corporate governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit committee
          • Board of directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating documents
          • Governance documents
          • Governance ethics and compensation committee
          • Mandates
      • Press releases
      • Reports and filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR+ filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst coverage
      • Shareholder information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and events
    • News
      • Latest news
      • Events and webinars
    • Contact us
      • Request a proposal
      • Send a message
      • Find an expert
      • Offices
bnr-decarbinising-mining

Decarbonizing the mining industry

bnr-decarbinising-mining

Decarbonizing the mining industry

  1. We are WSP
  2. Insights
  3. Decarbonising the mining industry
map marker Australia | Tuesday, 15 November 2022

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals have taken center stage for many businesses in the mining sector as companies accelerate delivery of their commitments and awareness grows in broader society about ESG’s importance.

WSP has been delivering the fundamentals that support ESG for many years. As part of our Future Ready™ framework, and wider strategic objectives as a firm, we are committed to helping our clients embed sustainability into their businesses. One element of this commitment has been to hire key leaders who will ambitiously support these goals.

We sat down with Dan McLaughlin, Global Client Executive within WSP’s Mining group, to discuss where decarbonization is heading in the mining industry, and how we partner with our clients to deliver on their ESG commitments. 

Making the transition

The mining sector has made significant commitments to reducing their carbon emissions, which have been evolving for some time. Dan says, “For many of us who have been working in the mining industry, ESG principles have been a fundamental part of company values for a very long time now – with many dedicated environmental and social professionals supporting delivery of these commitments. 

“It’s great to see the current focus on ESG, as investors and the public want to know more about what our clients are doing to deliver on their commitments. Decarbonization being one element, along with other important aspects like upholding human rights, working with communities, Indigenous and First Nations peoples, being responsible water stewards and promoting nature-positive approaches to enhance biodiversity.”

We recently reviewed the public commitments of mining companies globally, and some interesting trends emerged. Notably, that decarbonization is one of the foremost commitments mining companies are making the world over.

 int-public-esg-priorities2 WSP reviewed the top 12 mining companies to show how many of these have made commitments to different ESG priorities

Companies have been working hard to deliver on corporate commitments, legislation, and industry standards Dan says, not only to quantify but to innovate and reduce their emission profiles. Adding that, “Nowadays, the market is accelerating at a much faster rate. For example, in 2019 BHP achieved a major milestone for its copper operations in Chile with contracts secured to supply 100% of purchased electricity for the Escondida and Spence operations through renewable power sources. This was underpinned by the country’s investment and acceleration of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources, which meant green power had become more readily available.

All things that are also accelerating at pace in other parts of the world.

In Australia, new technologies – to help the nation’s resources and agricultural industries reduce emissions – are in active research. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) just announced a new research program called Towards Net Zero, a large-scale scientific initiative focused on helping hard-to-abate industries halve their emissions by 2035.

Dan notes, “Leading companies are now publicly disclosing their intended path, the challenges and the expected costs in achieving Net Zero commitments. These activities may include purchasing or investing in new renewable power supplies, undertaking capital works programs to upgrade the capacity of electrical distribution networks, electrifying diesel-powered equipment and addressing fugitive emission sources. A major step to successfully implementing decarbonization will be the ongoing buy-in and appetite from investors as companies work towards achieving their ESG commitments.

“In saying that, financial institutions, regulators, and investors are all aware of the risks posed by poor ESG performance, such as the reduced ability to finance and obtain operating permits. ESG factors are now viewed as a key part of investment due-diligence, and it’s beginning to affect other financial areas, such as a company’s eligibility for insurance, loans, and securities. This means that strong ESG performance is likely to result in decreased operational risks, enhanced social value, and productivity increases through automation and digitalization.”

Putting ESG and decarbonization into action

Our Mining group’s  key differentiator is that our experts span the full spectrum of ESG services. Dan explains, “We have a unique ability to support our clients in planning corporate-level strategy, studying alternative options, developing sustainable designs, and then implementing those designs. Our project and construction management capability allows us to deliver large-scale solutions which bring ESG aspirations to reality.”

We have scientists and engineers working across many technical, ecological and social disciplines, project and construction managers, climate change experts, Indigenous engagement specialists and social impact consultants, to name a few. In addition, we have been developing a range of tools to help teams identify and quantity the ESG dimensions in our projects. These types of tools can be used by clients in decision-making and in reporting their ESG progress.

Dan adds, “My role is to help our mining clients meet their objectives by connecting them with WSP’s vast network of local, regional and global expertise. We see ourselves as partners with our mining clients, and we hold ourselves accountable to help them deliver on their ESG commitments and aspirations.

“As a firm, we are committed to incorporating ESG in all our work and decarbonizing our designs by halving their carbon footprint by 2030. Now, in this exciting period of mining transition, I’m keen to highlight how we can help our clients deliver excellence in ESG performance.”

To learn more about how WSP’s Mining group can support ESG across the mining sector, contact Dan McLaughlin.

 

 

Dan McLaughlin 

With more than 25 years’ experience in developing and delivering environmental and sustainability programs across all phases of the mining life cycle, Dan has helped guide some of the world’s largest organizations through complex and challenging scenarios. He has considerable expertise in developing corporate governance frameworks and leading multidisciplinary teams for the resources industry across multiple countries.

 

 


More on this subject

Procurement-Paradigm-Thumb

July 2025

Procurement Paradigms: Reflections on collaborative approaches for tunnels and underground construction projects

Global
svg-icon White Paper
Decarbonization , Mobility
thn-Airport Master Planning

July 2025

Enhancing Airport Master Planning in Latin America

Global
svg-icon White Paper
Decarbonization , Mobility , Resilience , Technology
Low Carbon

June 2025 | 6 minutes

Low-carbon strategies to Improve neighbourhood safety

Global
svg-icon Feature
Decarbonization , Places
mine closure, responsible mine closure, risk assessment, mine water

May 2025 | 4 minutes

Embracing responsible mine closure: In-pit disposal for South African coal mines

South Africa
svg-icon Blog
Mining
thn-Advancing-Electrifications-Role-in-our-Energy-Systems

May 2025 | 5:22 minutes

Advancing Electrification’s Role in our Energy Systems

United States
svg-icon Feature
Resilience , Climate , Energy Transition , Decarbonization
thn-energy-transition

May 2025

Advancing Energy Transition? Count Your Assets Too!

svg-icon Feature
Decarbonization , Energy Transition , Resilience
thn-thermal-energy-networks-2

May 2025 | 4:00 minutes

Perfect TENs

United States
svg-icon Feature
Decarbonization , Energy Transition , Resilience
Mine closure, rehabilitation, paste technology, mine water

May 2025 | 3 minutes

How we can rehabilitate legacy mines with proven approaches

South Africa
svg-icon Blog
Mining
Regenerative design 4

April 2025 | 6 min

Regenerative design: Thinking beyond sustainability

United Kingdom
svg-icon Feature
Decarbonization
thn-Echoes of the Past

April 2025 | 7 MInutes

Echoes of the Past Integrating Heritage in Mine Closure Plans

Global
Mining
Mine water, AI, innovation, pit lake tool

April 2025 | 1:30 minutes

Shaping the Future of Mining with AI

United States
svg-icon Feature
Mining
TOD-2-WP-Thumbnail

March 2025

Transit-Oriented Communities Advance Sustainable Cities

Global
svg-icon White Paper
Decarbonization , Energy Transition , Mobility , Places , Resilience , Society , Technology

Send a message / Decarbonizing the mining industry

wsp_RGB
Asia Enquiries
Asia Enquiries
Join our team

Related themes and tags

  • Mining (29)

  • Decarbonization (84)


  • Mining (30)
  • Mine Environment and ESG (7)
  • Future Ready (155)
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  • Who We Are
  • Our story
  • Future Ready
  • Our leadership
  • Our offices
  • What We Do
  • Sectors
  • Services
  • Projects
  • Insights
  • Climate
  • Mobility
  • Places
  • Society
  • Resources
  • Technology
  • Careers
  • Join our team
  • Early career
  • Experienced professionals
  • Why join us?
  • Corporate
  • Sustainability
  • Health and safety
  • Investors
  • Business Conduct Hotline
  • News
  • Corporate governance
  • Ethics and integrity
    ©2025 WSP
    • The WSP Logo
    • Privacy Policy
    • Anti-Spam commitment
    • Cookie Notice
    • Terms of Use
    ©2025 WSP
    Exiting our Website

    You are about to leave WSP.com and are being redirected to a job opportunity at Louis Berger, which has been recently acquired by WSP in the US.