The entire mining lifecycle—from exploration and extraction to processing, transport, and closure—can drive direct, indirect, and cumulative forest impacts, including ecosystem conversion, biodiversity loss, pollution, and pressures on water resources. These risks are often concentrated in forest-rich regions, including Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ territories.
At the same time, mining and mineral supply chains are highly dependent on nature. More than 90% of gross value added across these sectors relies on ecosystem services such as water availability—making forest loss a direct operational, financial, and reputational risk.
The risks of inaction are significant. Companies that fail to manage forest and rights impacts face growing regulatory scrutiny, community conflict, permitting delays, litigation, and reduced investor confidence.
The opportunity is equally compelling. Companies that embed robust forest safeguards, strengthen due diligence, and uphold Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) can secure more stable operations, improve access to capital and markets, and strengthen long-term resilience. Taking credible action can also position companies to respond to evolving expectations from investors, regulators, and downstream buyers.
Companies across mining and mineral value chains have distinct but complementary roles to play:
Upstream companies — including operators involved in exploration, extraction, and site development — have direct influence over land-use decisions and can avoid or minimize ecosystem loss through responsible siting, operations, and closure practices.
Midstream companies — such as processors, refiners, traders, and transporters — can drive change across the value chain by strengthening traceability, increasing transparency, and engaging suppliers.
Downstream companies — including manufacturers and retailers — can shape market demand by setting procurement requirements and requiring traceability and assurance for deforestation- and conversion-free materials.
Together, these actors can drive meaningful shifts across mineral supply chains and contribute to protecting and restoring forests at scale.
Fragmented action is not enough. Companies must address forest risk through systemic changes across their operations and value chains—embedding forest and rights considerations into decision-making, strengthening due diligence, aligning procurement and sourcing practices, and engaging collaboratively with governments, communities, and other stakeholders.
These combined actions can reshape incentives, reduce risk exposure, and support a more resilient and nature-compatible mining sector.
These Priority Actions were developed through extensive multi-stakeholder engagement, drawing on practical experience and existing best practices across business, finance, standards, and civil society. They contribute to the broader 2030 Global Forest Vision and complement the Priority Actions for Governments and for Deforestation- and Conversion-Free Finance.
Endorsing organizations include the following:
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