Charting a clear path to net-zero mining operations

Mining and refining operations are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and competitiveness. For this confidential client, the challenge was to define a credible, achievable pathway to net-zero by 2050 — one that accounts for viable technologies, location-specific constraints and delivery risks to ensure investment decisions are well-targeted. By evaluating global energy transition options and assessing ESG risks across different scenarios, the client gained a clearer understanding of where and how to act. This enables more informed planning and stronger prioritization, as well as a pathway that balances ambition with delivery.

Jacobs supported the client by evaluating a range of decarbonization pathways across technologies and geographies, bringing together technical, commercial and ESG perspectives. We assessed risks associated with each option, including feasibility and delivery considerations alongside regulatory context to inform investment decisions and future project development. Structuring complex data into clear, comparable insights enabled us to support the client in identifying practical routes to reduce emissions — all while managing uncertainty and delivering a more confident approach to long-term planning that delivers a credible and actionable transition.