Steel, aluminium drive most mining‑sector emissions, ICMM report says

Asia accounts for 80% of mining scope 1–2 emissions

ICMM’s new dataset shows non‑coal mining contributed just 0.54% of global greenhouse‑gas emissions in 2024, while combined scope 1 and 2 emissions from mining and metal processing placed the sector roughly sixth among global emitters, the organization reported.

The Global Mining and Metals Greenhouse Gas Emissions Dataset and accompanying insights report model facility‑level emissions for about 1,700 sites across 14 commodities and estimate the remainder using regional commodity averages, covering roughly 87% of production for those commodities. ICMM found fugitive emissions from coal accounted for about 2.46% of global emissions, and steel and aluminium production together with coal mining generated 93% of the sector’s scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2024. The analysis also indicates that about 80% of the sector’s scope 1 and 2 emissions originate in Asia, reflecting the regional concentration of primary mines and processing facilities.

ICMM and its partner Wood Mackenzie calculated facility‑level emissions using a consistent method aligned with the GHG Protocol rather than aggregating company‑reported inventories. The dataset therefore offers an industry‑wide picture and regional and commodity‑specific insights but is not suitable for benchmarking companies, assets, or corporate progress against decarbonisation targets.

The report highlights that demand for steel and aluminium—materials essential to the energy transition—will increase, and that decarbonising steelmaking and aluminium smelting represents the largest opportunity for sector‑level emissions reductions. ICMM presented the dataset as a transparent baseline to inform policymakers, investors and stakeholders as mineral and metal demand rises with renewable energy expansion and broader infrastructure needs.

"Despite our sector's importance to the energy transition, up‑to‑date, publicly available and industry‑wide data has been lacking, contributing to the circulation of misleading estimates. ICMM's Global Mining and Metals GHG Emissions Dataset provides data and data‑driven insights to underpin more informed dialogue about the sector's contribution to global GHG emissions while providing the building blocks for sustainable development and the global energy transition," Dr Emma Gagen, ICMM’s director of data and research, said.

She added, "Like all large‑scale datasets, this one will evolve, but establishing a transparent, industry‑wide baseline is a necessary starting point. Inferred implications from the dataset are provided separately from the data itself to allow others to be curious and make their own judgements. We invite all interested stakeholders to engage with the data, provide feedback or supplementary data to help improve its coverage, and collaborate with us further."

ICMM cautioned that the dataset excludes certain refining stages and some gases due to data limitations and directed readers to the report’s methodology and limitations sections for further details. The dataset and report form part of ICMM’s Global Mining Data Project, which aims to improve industry‑wide data quality and accessibility to inform policy and advance discussions about mining and metals’ role in sustainable development.

More information is available at www.Icmm.com/data