Why Electrification? Why Now?

As the world races to decarbonise, mining is under mounds of pressure to provide the necessary materials. However, it is also uniquely positioned to lead. The industry is critical to the energy transition, supplying the raw materials essential for wind turbines, electric vehicles, batteries, and solar infrastructure.

Demand for lithium, copper, cobalt, and rare earths is only increasing. Yet, supplies continue to fall short of what is needed to support the energy transition at scale. According to the International Energy Agency, demand for lithium alone grew by 30% in 2024, with overall demand expected to increase fivefold by 2040 under current policy trends. Copper, essential for EVs and renewables, is also projected to see a similar rise in demand over the same period.

While mining companies grapple to meet supply for growing demand, the industry also faces growing scrutiny over its own energy use. The mining industry, which is traditionally diesel-heavy, is currently responsible for around 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

As pressure mounts, approximately 30% of mining leaders are struggling to stay on track with decarbonisation goals. This explains why electrification has rapidly moved from concept to implementation. In just a few years, mining companies have progressed from trial pilots to full-scale rollouts, supported by tangible results in terms of productivity, emissions, and cost. ABB’s recent white paper, ‘Building the all-electric mine’, explores how leading operations are navigating this transition, and what practical steps are enabling scalable, site-specific electrification. The question is no longer whether to electrify, but how.

Ore grades are falling, the supply of critical metals is at risk, energy costs are climbing, and investors are pushing for more transparent, measurable progress on ESG. Electrification offers a pathway to lower emissions and stronger operational resilience, but the transition must be realistic, modular, and grounded in each mine’s unique conditions. This is not about flipping a switch. It is about enabling a smarter, more phased transformation.

This is a preview of an article that was originally published in the October 2025 issue of Global Mining Review. Subscribe to Global Mining Review for free to read this article in full and many more here.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/special-reports/03112025/why-electrification-why-now/