The Green and Blue Challenge in Mining Projects

With energy and water as critical inputs for mining, their management has become a growing focus of legal, regulatory, and social scrutiny. In Mexico, mining companies now operate in a landscape where sustainability, compliance, and social acceptance are essential for competitiveness, making distributors and solution providers central to achieving the highest possible standards.

“Mining, as an extractive industry, has long faced criticism, yet it is also a sector where sustainability is achievable. Advancing in this effort requires not only the commitment of mining companies but also the active role of providers in strengthening water and energy management,” said Ulises Neri, Vice Chair for Latin America, Expert Group on Resource Management, United Nations, at Mexico Mining Forum 2025. 

Water: Regulation and Best Practices

According to the Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas), out of 628 global conflicts linked to mineral exploration or extraction, 355 cite water as a central or secondary point of contention. This reality highlights the urgency of innovative solutions and transparent regulation.

Historically, Mexico’s National Water Law did not differentiate mining from other industrial activities. Reforms in 2023 updated the Mining Law, the National Water Law, and related environmental legislation. The revised framework established a separate concession regime for mining that includes measurement of extracted volumes, a ban on using water to transport mining materials, a maximum 30-year concession term, mandatory notification of water use to CONAGUA, payment of water duties, and requirements to reuse at least 60% of water and prevent pollution.

Regardless of these new obligations, mining currently accounts for only 0.27% of authorized national water consumption, while the industry recycles around 70% of its water through advanced treatment systems, according to CAMIMEX. Solution providers see opportunity in this transition. 

Diego Torroella, Director General Mexico, TAKRAF, stressed the importance of early involvement in mine planning. “It is important for us to be involved from the early stages of mine development, making projects not only more productive but also more efficient. That of course includes water aspects.”

A major focus for TAKRAF is tailings filtration, increasingly recognized as global best practice. “It does not generate direct revenues, it is purely about sustainability and requires significant space, but we are seeing companies shift their mindset, choosing to prioritize environmental and social responsibility,” Torroella explained. While filtration is already the norm in other jurisdictions, Torroella said it is expecting Mexico to move in this direction.

Arnaud Penverne, CEO, Veolia Mexico, added that mining companies must rely on expert partners to achieve sustainable water management. “The key is to minimize resource use, coexist with communities, and reduce environmental impact.” He emphasized that the biggest disruption is not technological advancement itself, but its growing accessibility and efficiency. “Sustainability is not expensive, ignoring it is. If we fail to guarantee environmental impact, the project simply will not move forward. Thinking holistically means not only designing solutions for the mine but also for the surrounding environment.”

Energy: Powering Sustainable Mining

Energy is required at every stage of mining, from exploration to refining. Globally, the sector accounts for 4% to 7% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Mining’s carbon footprint is largely driven by Scope 1 and 2 emissions, while Scope 3 emissions remain harder to quantify.

In Mexico, 35% of the mining industry’s energy consumption in 2023 came from renewable sources, including wind, hydro, solar, and renewable cogeneration, with a target to reach 46% by 2030. Mining companies are increasingly turning to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), often negotiated over 10 to 20 years, to secure renewable energy and hedge against price volatility. These contracts can reduce energy costs by roughly 15% compared to regulated tariffs. 

For remote operations, companies are shifting away from diesel toward solar, wind, energy storage, and, eventually, green hydrogen. Mark Baker, Director General, Komatsu, explained that the company is advancing the development of trucks capable of operating on multiple energy sources, including diesel, hybrid systems, and eventually hydrogen. 

Komatsu’s energy-agnostic approach allows fleets to transition gradually as battery technology evolves and hydrogen infrastructure matures, minimizing costs and operational disruption. “This flexibility enables mining operations to progressively reduce emissions without compromising productivity.” To accelerate these initiatives, Komatsu recently launched a decarbonization and electrification division, working closely with mining companies to co-develop solutions aligned with their net-zero targets.

Pablo Peñaranda, Business Development Director Latin America, Black & Veatch, added how innovation in critical infrastructure is accelerating this transition. “We focus on improving material quality to extend maintenance intervals, boost productivity, and lower operational pressures, which in turn reduces energy consumption,” he said. He added that data-driven systems now allow real-time decision-making, predicting equipment needs instead of relying on manual maintenance schedules. “This not only supports operational efficiency but also helps avoid sustainability issues.” Looking ahead, Black & Veatch has also developed roadmaps to help miners transition from diesel fleets to electric or hydrogen-powered trucks.

Providers Leading by Example

Across the sector, providers agreed that the shift toward sustainability requires not only offering green solutions but also implementing them internally. “What cannot be measured cannot be improved. We must measure ourselves as an industry and as companies. We are here to support miners with any needs, providing expertise to drive greener solutions. It is a full cycle, and we are here to serve,” said Penverne.

Baker echoed this perspective, stressing that sustainability must start from within. The company renews its ESG strategy every five years, applying it not only to clients but also to its own operations. “Becoming green starts with ourselves. We understand our clients’ goals and want to be part of this trend.” Torroella also noted that TAKRAF published its first ESG report last year, underlining that “providers must also lead by example, as mining companies increasingly expect their supply chains to be green.”