• The El Niño phenomenon primarily threatens to reduce the availability of water for mineral processing.
   
• As a result, mining companies are conducting environmental studies to understand the potential impact of global warming on their surroundings.

The world is on the brink of facing the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, and for this reason, the mining industry in Peru has been conducting climate risk assessments for the past two years. These assessments are included as a part of the Environmental Impact Studies (EIA) required by the National Service of Environmental Certification for Sustainable Investments (SENACE). This proactive approach puts mining ahead of other industries.

“The impact of the weather on mining operations will depend on their location. Some areas may experience higher precipitation, leading to erosion, landslides, and increased water flow. In other areas, climate change may result in droughts, leading to reduced water availability for the industry. The challenges will be greater in securing access to water resources and mineral processing in such cases," explained Gabriel Castillo, director of climate change at Ausenco.

He sees this situation as an opportunity rather than a problem because it is forcing new mining operations or designs to incorporate climate risk assessments, as investors are closely monitoring how these new projects are being implemented.

“These studies should be conducted not only by new mining operations but also by existing ones to analyze adaptation to climate change, that is, to understand the potential risks in new projects or expansions. SENACE has been requesting this document from operations for the past two years, not as a regulatory requirement but on a voluntary basis," noted Gabriel Castillo.

He pointed out that at the global level, the presentation of climate risk studies is already being regulated, as seen in Canada, where it is required as part of the study and permitting processes. In Peru, it will be up to the authorities.

Castillo participated in the roundtable discussion titled “Decarbonization, Enhanced Water Management, and Climate Change Adaptation” during the “Canada, Partner Country” forum at the PERUMIN 36 Mining Convention.

Ausenco is an engineering and sustainability consulting firm that has conducted climate risk studies in mining operations and subsequently developed adaptation strategies to address potential risks.