Mining: integrating sustainability into mining projects drives their viability

Sustainability is no longer just a component associated with environmental compliance, but has become a factor directly impacting the financial and operational viability of mining projects. Today, variables such as water resource management, climate resilience, community relations, and carbon footprint reduction increasingly influence technical and investment decisions from the earliest stages of development.

According to Ausenco specialists, integrating sustainability throughout the project lifecycle allows for risk anticipation, resource optimization, and strengthening operational resilience in an environment marked by greater regulatory and financial demands.

“Sustainability is no longer a defensive exercise; it now plays a key role in risk management, operational resilience, and long-term access to capital,” says Sabrina Galli, an environmental engineering specialist at Ausenco.

In this context, mining projects are no longer evaluated solely on their technical and economic performance. Factors such as climate risk, water availability, and social license have become variables that directly impact timelines, operating costs, and operational continuity.

Early decisions for the long term

Based on Ausenco's experience, the majority of a project's environmental, social, and economic impacts are identified during the conceptual and pre-feasibility stages. In this phase, decisions related to facility location, water management, or technology selection can define the future performance of the operation.

Therefore, incorporating environmental and social specialists from these early stages allows for the anticipation and addressing of risks before they translate into design challenges, delays, or cost overruns during execution. It also enables the integration of international standards and ensures consistency in the implementation of the sustainability strategy.

“Some of the most valuable conversations about sustainability happen during multidisciplinary risk workshops, where engineering, operations, environmental, and social perspectives are integrated early enough to influence project decisions,” explains Hilary Evans, Ausenco's sustainability project integration manager.

One of the most critical aspects is water strategy. Evaluating resource availability, watershed interactions, and future climate scenarios from the outset helps reduce uncertainty and improve operational continuity.

“The water strategy can no longer be evaluated solely from a compliance perspective; it is now a critical variable for the sustainable development of projects,” states Marcelo Navarrete, senior water resources specialist at Ausenco.

The company points out that early decisions, such as implementing water recirculation systems or using alternative sources, may involve higher initial investments, but they help reduce operational risks and avoid subsequent redesigns.

Closing the Gap: From Strategy to Execution

One of the main challenges in sustainability is closing the gap between strategic definition and its implementation. As projects move towards detailed engineering and construction, these objectives must be translated into clear technical criteria and integrated into design, procurement, and construction standards. Indicators such as water consumption, energy efficiency, emissions, and waste management help align teams and balance CAPEX, OPEX, and environmental performance.

During construction and operation, the key lies in execution and governance. Incorporating these criteria into contracts, controls, and monitoring strengthens accountability, improves decision-making, and reduces risks. Thus, sustainability ceases to be a reporting exercise and becomes a practical tool that drives efficiency, operational resilience, and project performance over time.

Sustainability as a Value Driver

In a context marked by greater regulatory demands, pressure on natural resources, challenges associated with climate change, and growing expectations from investors and communities, sustainability plays an increasingly decisive role in the development of mining projects.

For Ausenco, integrating these criteria across the board strengthens operational continuity, reduces contingencies, and allows for a more efficient response to new market and investor demands. Likewise, it aims to ensure that sustainability commitments are realized through practical management systems, performance monitoring, adequate construction oversight, and continuous improvement processes that support accountability and informed decision-making throughout the entire project lifecycle.