Mine 2021: Great expectations, seizing tomorrow
Now in its 18th year, PwC's Global Mine report examines the performance of the world’s 40 largest mining companies, and the trends impacting the industry.
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Mining is one of the few industries that emerged from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic economic crisis in excellent financial and operational shape. In fact, 2020 was a banner year for the mining sector.
The Top 40 mining companies have never been in a stronger financial position to make a big, bold pivot towards the future.
And the future is already visible today: The world is in the midst of an era-defining transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy. Making ESG – environmental, social and governance issues – the core of organisational strategy provides miners with a compelling path to build trust, grow, and produce sustained outcomes for the future.
Make ESG the top of your growth agenda
- Companies with higher ESG ratings demonstrate stronger long-term performance in shareholder and market value.
- Products and services made with low-carbon inputs are increasingly in demand and beginning to attract premiums.
- Relationships are key: identify your ESG stakeholders, listen to their concerns, and proactively engage.
- Strong ESG performance can open the door to new capital and lower interest facilities.
Seize the ESG deal opportunities
- Significant M&A opportunities lie on the ‘growth side’ of ESG, in gaining access to materials necessary for customers to meet bold net-zero targets; the IEA predicts a possible six-fold increase in demand for critical ‘clean energy’ minerals by 2040.
- The shift away from thermal coal will continue, but it is mostly a defensive strategy; miners should challenge their current deal evaluation criteria to proactively align M&A activities with their ESG priorities.
Take control of your tax story
- If you don’t tell your own tax story, someone else will: tax transparency gives miners the chance to highlight their significant financial contributions to their communities and the resulting improvements in education, infrastructure, and quality of life.
- Tax transparency is a key ESG metric, but it involves more than merely reporting the amount of taxes a company pays; it includes being open about your tax policy, tax risk management, governance strategy and more.
COVID-19 - embrace the new normal
- Miners have responded to the pandemic successfully. It’s time to think about how to handle the altered landscape in a ‘COVID-19 normal’ world.
- Embrace ‘hybrid’ models of working to meet the growing demand for flexible work.
- Build supply chain resilience through real-time visibility.
- Fast track automation and digitisation to protect worker health and safety and improve efficiency.
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