42 As illustrated in Figure 1, Taking a proactive approach to ESG during the design phase often opens up opportunities for stronger environmental, social, and governance outcomes In contrast, when ESG considerations emerge later in the process, projects may be more exposed to challenges that can increase both risk and cost. This comparison highlights how early attention to ESG factors can support more resilient, community aligned and future ready project development. Figure 1 – Contrasting outcomes of Early ESG Integration vs. Late or Limited Integration in mining projects. Integrating ESG considerations early in project planning allows potential environmental and social issues to be identified and addressed when design flexibility is highest. Early attention to ESG factors also creates opportunities to incorporate innovations such as energy efficiency measures, renewable energy options, and more sustainable supply chain practices, enabling these elements to be reflected in project costs and schedules from the outset. Addressing these challenges requires a shift in traditional mine planning approaches. ESG considerations need to move from being treated primarily as compliance requirements to forming an integral part of early project design. Elevating ESG to the same level of importance as technical and economic criteria during conceptualization supports more robust project development. The following sections outline key areas for improvement and propose frameworks that may assist in advancing this approach. 2.1 Interdisciplinary Decision Making Integrating ESG considerations early in project development requires close coordination across multiple disciplines, including mining engineers, environmental scientists, social
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