Verisk Maplecroft’s Extreme Precipitation Index, which measures the frequency and intensity of heavy rains across seven different time horizons and three emissions scenarios, shows that 19% of copper mines already face significant risk from extreme weather events. This number is expected to rise as global temperatures increase, leading to both more severe rainfall and drought.
“Health and safety risks to workers, damaged access roads and electrical and structural damage at site facilities can all have an impact on production,” says Jimena Blanco, chief analyst at Verisk Maplecroft. She notes these impacts will likely extend beyond the mine site, affecting local communities and supply chains.
Canada and Australia account for just under half (47%) of the 718 copper projects benchmarked within the consultancy’s analysis, which focuses on mine sites tagged at “advanced…
