What will the future of surface mining look like? Will it be even larger pieces of equipment running off non-fossil fuels or will it even be a surface mine at all?

“Many miners are going to face increased demand for their products as the world looks to transition away from fossil fuel-derived energy. At the same time they are going to come under increased pressure to mine those extra metals while using fewer fossil fuels themselves."

Richard Horton, Global Mining Practice Leader said with a growing focus on environmental, social and governance, some miners are looking to minimise the amount of ground they disturb.