Mining - Why It’s Essential for a Sustainable Future?

The fireside chat with Timothy Biggs, author of Mining: Why It's Essential for a Sustainable Future, explored the complexities of mining’s role in society and its misunderstood public image. Biggs, drawing on over 25 years in the industry, emphasized that modern life is fundamentally dependent on large-scale mining, from the smartphones we use to the infrastructure we rely on.

He acknowledges mining’s historic associations with environmental harm and human rights issues, but made a case that the sector is also indispensable for the transition to a sustainable future. The discussion highlighted how technologies essential for tackling climate change—such as electric vehicles and solar panels—require significant amounts of metals like copper, lithium, and iron ore, all dependent on responsible mining.

Biggs urges that, as demand for minerals grows, it is vital for states and societies to engage constructively with mining’s practical realities. At the same time, he stresses that mining companies must address their legacy of environmental and social problems and improve public trust. The discussion combines technical insight with broader reflections on mining’s evolving responsibilities and its central role in enabling climate solutions