Mission Critical: Building Resilient Mines for a Modern Society

ERM’s deep dive into 226 global mine projects and interviews with global stakeholders across the mining ecosystem (miners, regulators, Traditional Owners, financiers and industry peak bodies) reveals the root causes—and the urgent need for change.

Why are new mines so slow to launch?

It now takes an average of 18 years to bring a critical minerals project from discovery to operation—a 40% increase over the past decade. Every extra week of delay can cost tens of millions, and most projects stumble over regulatory hurdles, stakeholder opposition, and environmental concerns. In fact, 64% of mining projects face delays, with nearly half occurring before feasibility is even reached.

What’s holding us back?

• Regulatory and stakeholder scrutiny: Sustainability performance is under the microscope, and permitting issues are the #1 cause of delays.
• Commercial blind spots: Many mining companies still underestimate the business value of robust sustainability strategies, leading to avoidable setbacks and higher costs.
• Community engagement: Early, genuine collaboration with affected communities and Indigenous and First Nations peoples is essential—but too often, it’s an afterthought, and the sector is slow to distinguish between rights holders and stakeholders.
• Environmental stewardship: Fragmented approaches to environmental impacts miss the bigger picture, risking community resistance and regulatory roadblocks.

The paradox?

While demand for minerals is skyrocketing—driven by energy transition and energy security, defense needs and accelerating technology and AI—the pace of new mine development has slowed to a trickle. Miners are forced into more remote, lower-quality deposits, facing volatile prices and a legacy of public mistrust.

The solution?

ERM’s research points to a practical roadmap: integrate sustainability into every stage of the mine lifecycle, engage communities early, and adopt a proactive, data-driven approach to environmental and regulatory challenges. The result? Faster permitting, better access to capital, and a stronger business case for critical mineral mines.

Ready to discover the six threads of resilient mining and the actionable steps to de-risk and accelerate your next project?

Access to the detailed report can be found via the QR code below. Get the details behind the statistics, interviews and expert insights, as well as the full roadmap that could transform your approach to building resilient mines for a modern society!