Beyond the Ore: Redesigning Mining with a Legacy-Driven Vision

Designing a mine is an act of faith. Faith in geology not yet proven. Faith in communities not yet born. Faith in a future that still has no price. At the 2025 Udaipur Conference, I presented a vision that challenges the mining industry’s dependence on short-term financial metrics, arguing for evaluating mine design not just through profitability but through legacy—a broader, deeper lens that incorporates long-term value creation, community resilience, and systemic impact.

Through real-world cases like Julcani, a Peruvian underground mine that has operated for over 70 years with fewer than six months of proven reserves, and Antamina, where a $2 billion “irrational” investment proved visionary, we’re reminded that mines are not spreadsheets. They are long bets on uncertainty—requiring technical skill and bold thinking. Read the full article here to discover how legacy optimization expands value beyond traditional profitability, including adaptability, social benefit, environmental durability, and post-closure strategy.