The mining industry has spent over a century refining extraction techniques and understanding deep Earth processes. However, one key element—carbon cycling—has often been overlooked. This gap in knowledge is now a crucial issue, especially as climate-related risks become more evident in mining operations.
As the demand for professionals who understand both geology and climate science increases, the rise of experts like Evelyn Mervine highlights this shift. With stricter climate disclosure regulations coming into play, mining companies need specialists to manage carbon effectively and navigate emerging risks. Mervine’s career is a perfect example of how interdisciplinary knowledge can address these challenges.
Mervine started her journey at Dartmouth College, where she studied Earth Sciences and Arabic, laying the groundwork for her broad thinking. She later joined a joint PhD program at MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Her research took her to northern Oman, where she studied unique geological processes that reveal much about the deep carbon cycle.
This robust understanding of the carbon cycle differentiates her work from those who simply focus on compliance or sustainability. Entering the mining industry, she transitioned from geology to specialized positions in climate management. Real-world experience at mine sites has been essential for her effectiveness. She believes that understanding operations is vital for creating practical solutions in the field.
Now at the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute, Mervine leads a research group focusing on carbon and climate change in mining. This center emphasizes collaborative problem-solving, bridging gaps between academia and industry to produce actionable solutions. For example, one priority is improving how carbon emissions from land-use changes at mine sites are measured, an area where significant discrepancies often exist.
Mining carbon accounting is criticized for its inconsistency. While emissions from diesel fuel and electricity are well tracked, categories like land-use changes and waste management remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that emissions from land clearing for nickel mining can be much larger than previously thought—up to 500 times greater in some cases. This emphasizes the need for better reporting and accountability.
Mervine advocates for a structured approach to decarbonization in mining, starting with thorough emissions measurements, followed by substantial operational reductions, and lastly, using offsets only when necessary. This clear sequence helps avoid the pitfalls of greenwashing—where companies may claim to be sustainable without substantial action.
Moreover, as climate impacts intensify, adaptation becomes as critical as emissions reduction. Mining operations must prepare for extreme weather and supply chain instability. Companies that underestimate these risks may find themselves increasingly vulnerable in the years to come.
Since 2015, the landscape has changed significantly. More mining companies now have dedicated climate functions, prompted by regulatory and market pressures. However, some firms have cut back on climate teams, raising concerns about commitment. The reality is that climate-related risks are becoming increasingly relevant to business operations.
Mervine stresses that the tools and technology to combat climate change exist, but political will and social understanding are often lacking. The mining sector must play its part in responsible resource management while minimizing harm to ecosystems, particularly those with significant carbon storage.
Ultimately, mining’s role in the climate transition is multi-faceted. As it aims to provide critical minerals for clean energy, the sector must also commit to better practices in emissions accounting, sustainable mining, and ecosystem protection. Researchers like Mervine are essential in guiding this transition.
Understanding the structural issues in carbon reporting and emissions management is crucial for achieving genuine decarbonization. Whether the mining sector responds to these challenges effectively will shape its future—and that of our planet.
