Decarbonizing Mining: Key Trends, Major Technologies and Case Studies 2026
Powered by 
All the vital news, analysis, and commentary curated by our industry experts.
Due to the significant volume of emissions from the mining sector, growing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) concerns, and the rising demand for essential raw materials required for the energy transition, decarbonizing mining has become crucial for global climate mitigation and achieving net-zero goals. This report assesses the decarbonization potential, readiness, and adoption constraints of the main pathways for mining, including electrification, renewable power, alternative fuels, hydrogen, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).
– This report examines the macroeconomic conditions shaping investment decisions, including high upfront capital requirements, commodity price volatility, and supply chain bottlenecks. To provide an outlook on industry progress, the report also reviews emissions performance and summarizes both interim and long-term climate targets across a selection of mining companies. It shows that solutions are likely to scale on different timelines depending on technology maturity, infrastructure requirements, and mine site operating conditions.
– In the near term, renewable electricity is the most readily deployable lever for reducing operational emissions and is increasingly being implemented through power purchase agreements (PPAs) and on-site renewable generation. Many miners are also pursuing pragmatic interim measures, such as trolley-assist and alternative fuels, to support near-term targets and operational efficiency, though adoption is frequently moderated by capital discipline.
– Over the medium to long-term, electrification remains the central pathway to deep decarbonization and can improve cost performance over the asset life. However, scalability is limited by the need for enabling infrastructure, including renewable generation, co-located battery energy storage, transmission and distribution upgrades, and charging or battery swapping capability.
– Hydrogen and CCUS remain nascent in mining and are expected to play complementary roles in hard-to-electrify applications, subject to infrastructure availability, project economics, and technology development.
Scope
Overview of where emissions come from across the mining value chain
Net-zero target for selected mining companies
Mining companies’ analysis of interim and long-term emission targets
Mining companies’ Scope 1 and 2 emissions data
Analysis of different decarbonization technologies (renewable energy, alternative fuels, electrification, hydrogen, CCUS), including timeline for commercial viability and suitability assessment
Macroeconomic challenges facing decarbonizing the mining industry
Case studies of decarbonization technologies being trialled or implemented
Analysis on how repurposing mines can aid the energy transition
Key Highlights
Renewables are delivering near-term emissions reduction, but tighter capital discipline following commodity-price volatility is slowing investment in higher-cost levers such as fleet electrification, CCUS, and low-carbon hydrogen.
Net-zero commitments are increasingly standard among major miners, yet the concentration of targets in 2050 suggests many are deferring the hardest abatement and capital-intensive measures until late in the transition.
Most major mining companies have set themselves interim emissions targets. A standard benchmark is a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. However, Fortescue has set the ambitious target of ‘real’ net-zero by 2030.
In the near term, renewable electricity is the most readily deployable lever for reducing operational emissions and is increasingly being implemented through power purchase agreements (PPAs) and on-site renewable generation. Many miners are also pursuing pragmatic interim measures, such as trolley-assist and alternative fuels, to support near-term targets and operational efficiency, though adoption is frequently moderated by capital discipline
Over the medium to long-term, electrification remains the central pathway to deep decarbonization and can improve cost performance over the asset life. However, scalability is limited by the need for enabling infrastructure, including renewable generation, co-located battery energy storage, transmission and distribution upgrades, and charging or battery swapping capability.
Reasons to Buy
Identify the market trends within the industry and assess what the biggest players in mining are doing to reduce emissions.
Develop market insight of the major technologies used to decarbonize the industry, including timelines for their respective commercial viability, and the drivers and barriers to their implementation.
Facilitate the understanding of what is happening within hard-to-abate industries as they look to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Rio Tinto
BHP
Caterpillar
Anglo American
Teck
Canada Nickel
Fortescue
Harmony Gold
Agnico Eagle
Alcoa
AngloGold Ashanti
Antofagasta
Barrick
Boliden
Freeport-McMoran
Codelco
CMOC
Glencore
Implats
GrupoMexico
Hindalco Industries
Gold Fields
KGHM
Newmont
Kinross
Northern Star
Polyus
Solidcore Resources
South32
Sibanye Stillwater
Vale
Zijin Mining
Jiangxi Copper
Coal India
First Quantum Minerals
Lundin Mining
Norilsk Nickel
Maaden
Statkraft
Lightsource Renewable Energy Australia
Yindjibarndi Energy
NOA Group Trading
Etana Energy
Zenith Energy
Envusa Energy
EDF Power Solutions
Aggreko
CHN Energy Investment Group
Ural Mining and Metallurgical
The Singareni Collieries
Peabody Energy
Hubei Yihua
China Huaneng
Shandong Gold
Inner Mongolia Dian Tou Energy
Tonly
XCMG
Komatsu
Yutong
Hitachi
Snay
LGMG
Sinotruk
Liebherr
Sandvik
Eimco Elecon
Epiroc
BEML
Simplex Engineering
Atlas Copco
Aramine
TRF
PIMCU
Artisan
CoMinVi
Hina Battery
Progress Rail
ExxonMobil
Cummins
Wolfram
Hutten AG
Energie Steiermark
Orica
Acciona
EODev
Table of Contents
Table
Figures
Get in touch to find out about multi-purchase discounts
reportstore@globaldata.com
Tel +44 20 7947 2745
Sample Report
Decarbonizing Mining: Key Trends, Major Technologies and Case Studies 2026 was curated by the best experts in the industry and we are confident about its unique quality. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer free sample pages to help you:
- Assess the relevance of the report
- Evaluate the quality of the report
- Justify the cost
Download your copy of the sample report and make an informed decision about whether the full report will provide you with the insights and information you need.
