40 INTEGRATED EARLY ESG PLANNING IN MINING PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: A FRAMEWORK FOR IMPROVED OUTCOMES M. A Case*1, T. Salas Melichar2 Bechtel Corporation, Mining and Metals Global Business Unit, Perth, Australia1 Bechtel Corporation, Mining and Metals Global Business Unit, Santiago, Chile2 Presenting Author*: mcase@bechtel.com ABSTRACT Embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles at the outset of mining project development is increasingly recognized as vital for long-term success. Today, however, many projects still fail not due to engineering limitations but by design, specifically because ESG is treated as an externality to be “managed” later rather than a core design parameter. As global attention to ESG intensifies, stakeholders including investors, regulators, and local communities are demanding robust management of environmental impacts, social obligations, and governance practices at every stage of a project’s lifecycle. Mining projects face distinct challenges, from energy consumption and waste management to community engagement and Indigenous rights, making early ESG integration critical for mitigating risks, harnessing opportunities, and meeting regulatory and stakeholder expectations. The optimal time to plan ESG integration is in the earliest stages of project design, well before feasibility studies traditionally focused on engineering and production. Early incorporation ensures issues of compliance, social license, and investor confidence are included in planning, rather than becoming sources of cost, schedule, or reputational risk during construction, operations, and closure. By proactively addressing ESG concerns, project teams can explore innovations such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable supply chains, embedding solutions into project cost and scheduling from the outset. ESG planning must be tailored to the specific context of each project, considering unique factors such as local community influences, regulatory conditions, and environmental sensitivities. Success depends on collaborative engagement across all partners, including internal cross-functional leadership and external engineering, procurement, and construction partners, to leverage collective experience and best practices. This approach enables risk to be ‘designed out’ and opportunities to be ‘designed in’ across all project phases. Early adoption of ESG not only prevents setbacks and ensures compliance but also delivers financial and reputational benefits, stronger community relations, reduced costs, and improved sustainability. Projects initiated with ESG as a priority are better positioned for smooth execution and long-term competitiveness in a world increasingly focused on responsible mining. In summary, integrating ESG principles early transforms project development, driving innovation and resilience while assuring stakeholders of responsible practices and future readiness.
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