From Chicago Booth Magazine: Mining for the Future

From Chicago Booth Magazine: Mining for the Future
What can the mining industry do to make itself greener and still turn a profit—all while being the linchpin in our path toward sustainability?

Mining plays an essential yet controversial role in the clean-energy transition, supplying critical materials like copper, lithium, and nickel for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. Despite environmental impacts, the industry is evolving with advanced technologies, stronger environmental and social governance (ESG), and community engagement. Innovations like AI, green power integration, and repurposing decommissioned mines for renewable energy showcase its potential for sustainability. Though challenges remain—from permitting delays to carbon-intensive maritime transport—collaborative approaches between governments, businesses, and researchers aim to balance resource needs with environmental preservation, making mining indispensable to the green future.

Read the full article in the Spring 2025 issue of the Chicago Booth Magazine. 

View all articles from the most recent issue of the Chicago Booth Magazine on their website.