Top 5 Sustainable Mining Companies in 2025

By Ankit SinghReviewed by Laura ThomsonMay 16 2025

The mining industry is undergoing a significant shift as companies place greater emphasis on sustainability to align with climate targets, ethical sourcing, and growing stakeholder expectations. By 2025, industry leaders will stand out for how much they produce and how effectively they minimize environmental impact, invest in clean technologies, and engage with local communities.

This article looks at the top five sustainable mining companies that use advanced strategies and initiatives to shape a cleaner, more ecologically friendly future for the sector.

Image Credit: Maksim Safaniuk/Shutterstock.com

Newmont Corporation

Newmont Corporation, headquartered in the United States, is the world's largest gold miner. It is a leader in sustainability within the mining industry through its integration of renewable energy, automation, and waste reduction strategies. The company’s Climate Strategy targets a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050.¹

One of Newmont's major innovations is using Caterpillar’s first fleet of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) at its mine in Colorado. This has led to a significant reduction in diesel consumption and operational emissions.

Newmont also uses artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G-enabled sensors to improve ore extraction. This technology reduces waste and energy use. It helps optimize operations and enhances safety by predicting equipment failures and hazardous conditions.²

Under its Global Water Strategy, Newmont has invested GH¢435,902 in the Kenyasi water project. This initiative expands the Kenyasi Small Town Water Project, increasing its storage capacity from 18 cubic meters to 390. The project is expected to pump approximately 30,000 liters of water per hour, benefiting the region's growing populations and nearby communities. Through its Community Support Fund, Newmont has allocated $20 million in the last 4 years to local education, food security, and healthcare projects.^3,4

BHP

BHP is a major mining company based in Australia. It focuses on extracting iron ore, copper, and nickel. The company promotes responsible resource use by following circular economy practices and investing in renewable energy.

BHP has a Climate Transition Action Plan that dedicates $4 billion toward decarbonization projects by 2030.⁵

The company has made significant strides in innovation. In partnership with Rio Tinto, it is testing hydrogen-powered haul trucks in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, with a goal to phase out diesel entirely by 2035.

Using Rio Tinto’s Nuton technology, BHP has also enhanced its tailings reprocessing efforts, achieving an impressive 85% recovery rate of copper from low-grade ores while minimizing waste.

The Escondida copper mine in Chile now operates entirely on renewable energy, supported by solar and wind farms, effectively reducing annual emissions by three million tons.^6,7,8

On the social responsibility front, BHP’s Indigenous Peoples Strategy aims for 8% Indigenous employment in Australia by mid-2025, exceeding this target with 8.1% as of February 2022.

The company has also established a $50 million Indigenous Development Fund to support education, employment, and business development programs.^9,10

Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto, headquartered in the United Kingdom, is a leading player in the mining sector. It specializes in aluminum, lithium, and rare earth elements.

The company is recognized for its commitment to producing metals in environmentally friendly ways. One of its key projects is the ELYSIS™ joint venture with Alcoa, which utilizes groundbreaking technology to produce aluminum without releasing carbon dioxide. This advancement supports the growing electric vehicle and renewable energy industries.¹¹

The company has also made progress with its Nuton technology, which harnesses the power of microbes to extract copper from waste rock. This approach drastically reduces energy, carbon, and water consumption compared to traditional methods, highlighting the company's dedication to sustainability and efficiency.¹²

Rio Tinto also focuses on environmental conservation. Its QMM ilmenite mine in Madagascar operates with a commitment to Net Positive Impact (NPI).

To mitigate its effects on key habitats and species, the company implements four main conservation actions, while also engaging in environmental education, capacity-building, and providing livelihood alternatives to support sustainable development and alleviate pressure on biodiversity in the region.¹³

Vale S.A.

Vale S.A., based in Brazil, has significantly changed its operations after the Brumadinho disaster. The company is focusing on safety and cleaning up the environment. Its goal is guided by the 2030 Agenda, which aims for carbon neutrality, circular mining methods, and ethical sourcing.¹⁴

One of Vale's main innovations is the development of green briquettes, which are carbon-free alternatives to traditional sintering. The briquettes use biogas instead of coal, which can cut greenhouse gas emissions from steel production by up to 10 percent. They are already used in steel mills across Europe, showing Vale's commitment to eco-friendly practices.¹⁵

Vale's 2030 Agenda also includes goals to reduce its impact on nature and local communities. The Forest Goal aims to recover and protect 500,000 hectares beyond the company’s operational areas.

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The Water Goal seeks a seven percent reduction in specific water usage by 2030. These commitments highlight Vale's focus on balancing economic growth with caring for the environment and the well-being of communities.¹⁶

Anglo American

Anglo American, based in the United Kingdom, is a prominent entity in the global mining sector, focusing on extracting platinum, diamonds, and copper.

The company is committed to sustainability through its innovative FutureSmart Mining™ initiative, which integrates cutting-edge AI, renewable energy solutions, and community-focused practices.

This forward-thinking approach aims to transform the resource extraction process, ensuring it is more efficient and environmentally responsible, while promoting the well-being of the communities in which they operate.¹⁷

The company aims for carbon neutrality by 2040 and leads several innovative projects.

Notably, the nuGen™ initiative in South Africa features the world’s largest fleet of hydrogen-powered haul trucks. These trucks will replace diesel vehicles and can reduce emissions by up to 80% using green hydrogen fuel.

Their Coarse Particle Recovery (CPR) system improves eco-efficiency by removing chemicals from copper processing, which reduces water use by 20% and energy use by 15%. Through these efforts, Anglo American is redefining sustainable mining practices.^18,19,20

The Future of Sustainable Mining

While these companies have made progress in sustainability, they still face challenges. Rising costs, complex regulations, and the need for faster decarbonization require ongoing innovation.

Key growth opportunities include using green technologies like hydrogen and battery electric vehicles, building partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft, and supporting Indigenous communities as equity partners.

Leading companies like Newmont, BHP, Rio Tinto, Vale, and Anglo American have demonstrated that responsible resource extraction is possible through innovation and a commitment to environmental and social goals.

Focusing on renewable energy, circular practices, and community engagement sets a standard for the industry's low-carbon transition. The future of mining depends on balancing the planet's health with human progress, ensuring a strong and ethical global supply chain.

References and Further Reading

1. Newmont Commits to Industry-Leading Climate Targets. (2020). Newmont. https://www.newmont.com/investors/news-release/news-details/2020/Newmont-Commits-to-Industry-Leading-Climate-Targets/default.aspx
2. Top 5 Mining Companies in the USA to Watch in 2025. The USA Leaders. https://theusaleaders.com/blog/mining-companies/
3. Newmont Global Water Strategy. CEO Water Mandate. https://ceowatermandate.org/resources/newmont-global-water-strategy/
4. Newmont Completes $20 Million Global Community Support Fund, Partnering with Communities for Greater Resilience Post-Pandemic. (2024). Newmont. https://www.newmont.com/investors/news-release/news-details/2024/Newmont-Completes-20-Million-Global-Community-Support-Fund-Partnering-with-Communities-for-Greater-Resilience-Post-Pandemic/default.aspx
5. Climate Transition Action Plan. (2024). BHP. https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2024/240827_bhpclimatetransitionactionplan2024.pdf
6. Rio Tinto and BHP collaborate on battery-electric haul truck trials in the Pilbara. (2024). Rio Tinto | Global. https://www.riotinto.com/en/news/releases/2024/rio-tinto-and-bhp-collaborate-on-battery-electric-haul-truck-trials-in-the-pilbara
7. Mitchell, P. (2024). Top 10 mining and metals risks in 2025. EY – Deutschland. https://www.ey.com/en_us/insights/energy-resources/risks-opportunities
8. BHP operations in Chile start to operate with renewable energies. (2021). BHP. https://www.bhp.com/news/media-centre/releases/2021/08/bhp-operations-in-chile-start-to-operate-with-renewable-energies
9. BHP reaches Indigenous employment goal early, eyes new reconciliation deal. (2022). National Indigenous Times. https://nit.com.au/28-03-2022/2839/bhp-reaches-indigenous-employment-goal-early-eyes-new-reconciliation-deal
10. Darley, J. (2024). How ESG is Changing Mining's Treatment of Indigenous Peoples. Home of Sustainability News | Sustainability Magazine. https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/esg-reshaping-mining-firms-policy-on-indigenous-peoples
11. Rio Tinto and Alcoa announce world's first carbon-free aluminium smelting process. ELYSIS. https://elysis.com/en/rio-tinto-and-alcoa-announce-worlds-first-carbon-free-aluminium-smelting-process
12. Nuton: A better way to produce copper. Rio Tinto | Global. https://www.riotinto.com/en/news/stories/nuton-a-better-way-to-produce-copper
13. Rio Tinto/QMM Ilmenite Mine, Madagascar. Ej Atlas. https://ejatlas.org/conflict/rio-tinto-qmm-ilmenite-mine-madagascar
14. Brumadinho. Vale. https://vale.com/esg/brumadinho
15. Iron Ore Briquettes. Vale. https://vale.com/iron-ore-briquettes
16. Nature. Vale. https://vale.com/esg/nature
17. FutureSmart Mining™. Re-imagining mining to improve people's lives. Anglo American. https://www.angloamerican.com/futuresmart/futuresmart-mining
18. Anglo American unveils its digital vision. Mining Magazine | Mining news and in-depth features. https://www.miningmagazine.com/processing/news/1410034/anglo-american-unveils-digital-vision
19. Anglo American unveils a prototype of the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mine haul truck - a vital step towards reducing carbon emissions over time. Re-imagining mining to improve people's lives | Anglo American. https://www.angloamerican.com/media/press-releases/2022/06-05-2022
20. Bulk ore sorting and coarse particle recovery – leading the way in mineral processing innovation. Re-imagining mining to improve people's lives | Anglo American. https://www.angloamerican.com/futuresmart/stories/our-industry/mining-explained/bulk-ore-sorting-and-coarse-particle-recovery-leading-the-way-in-mineral-processing-innovation

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