The push for cleaner energy is reshaping markets today, though the pace and commitment vary across countries. This uneven transition is colliding with mounting energy security concerns, creating dual pressures on the supply of critical minerals. Governments are competing to secure future access to key resources, while geopolitical rivalries are redrawing trade and investment flows. At the same time, investors are demanding quicker returns in an environment of heightened uncertainty and fragmented value chains.

The mining sector sits at the centre of these changes. China’s overseas acquisitions are redrawing the competitive map, prompting the US and its allies to diversify and localise supply chains. Meanwhile, governments in resource-rich countries particularly in Africa and Latin America are asserting greater control, seeking a bigger share of mining revenues. These dynamics add to long-standing industry challenges, from permitting delays and local opposition to the high upfront cost of new projects all in the face of rising demand for copper, lithium and rare earths.

Against this backdrop, the 7th edition of the FT Mining & Metals Summit will bring together global CEOs, financiers, policymakers and strategists to debate the sector’s future. Through candid interviews and high-level panels, the summit will set the tone for LME Week and the year ahead – offering a critical platform to explore how the industry can meet demand, manage disruption, and deliver value in a more contested world.

Women in Mining UK is delighted to partner with this conference and will be attending.

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Also at the FT Metals and Mining Summit:

Executive Committee Speaker Spotlight:

Lucy Crane, Managing Director of Women in Mining UK
Friday 16th October
12:10pm – 12:50pm

‘ESG and mine stewardship – using innovation to cut liabilities and drive value’

Mine closure, water management and tailings oversight are becoming bigger considerations for capital allocation and investor scrutiny as ESG expectations and global standards tighten. Companies are assessing whether waste reprocessing, renewable energy conversion and digital monitoring technologies can reduce long-term liabilities, strengthen environmental performance and improve access to capital. The question is whether stewardship can evolve from compliance obligation to strategic value creation, with measurable balance-sheet impact.

· Can waste reprocessing materially reduce closure liabilities while strengthening ESG performance?
· How does closed-loop water management mitigate operational and reputational risk?
· Are new monitoring technologies lowering long-term insurance and bonding costs?
· Has ESG shifted from a reporting requirement to a determinant of capital allocation?

Date: 19th October 2026
Location: QEII Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE
15% Discount code: LMEWIM

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Date: 1-3 December 2026
Location: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper St, London N1 0QH
15% Discount code: WIM15

If you are a WIM100 and would like to attend Resourcing Tomorrow London please email help@womeninmining.org.uk for details on complimentary conference passes.

If you’re a student looking to kickstart your career in mining, don’t miss this opportunity. If you are an undergraduate student apply for your complimentary NextGen Leaders pass. Please note registration approval will take up 24 hours so do not leave it to the last minute to apply.

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