Wednesday, 09 April 2025 – The global demand for critical minerals is rising sharply as countries accelerate their energy transitions and industrialisation agendas. Africa, with its significant reserves of copper, cobalt, manganese, graphite, platinum group metals, and rare earth elements, is increasingly viewed as pivotal to the world’s resource security. But this growth story is not without nuance. It comes at a time when global investors, host governments, communities, and consumers are all demanding that mining be done more responsibly.
At WSP, we see this shift as an opportunity. Mining companies are under growing pressure to respond to market demand while meeting elevated expectations around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Our clients—many of whom operate globally and across the African continent—are seeking integrated engineering and environmental solutions that support production targets while improving sustainability outcomes across the full mining lifecycle.
“Africa’s mining sector stands at the intersection of immense opportunity and growing responsibility,” says Kevin Beauchamp, Global Director of Mining & Metals at WSP. “The choices we make today around design, operations, closure, and engagement will define the legacy we leave behind.”
Understanding Africa’s opportunity
In many African jurisdictions, governments are increasingly focused on ensuring that mining activities drive broader socio-economic benefits. Whether through local procurement, beneficiation, skills development or infrastructure partnerships, there is an expectation that mining must leave a lasting legacy. This aligns closely with the priorities of WSP’s clients and the purpose of our global mining business.
“Our clients are recognising that sustainable growth in Africa requires deep engagement. This engagement is not just with the geology, but with the communities, ecosystems, and economies that surround each project,” says Thashni Chetty, African Mining Lead for WSP in Africa.
We are also seeing a growing emphasis on resilience—both in how mines are designed to withstand climate and operational risks, and in how infrastructure is planned to serve communities long after a mine has closed. This includes a growing interest in modular, scalable design principles; water reuse strategies; low-carbon energy options; and integrated closure plans that begin at project conception.
Why responsible mining matters
As a multidisciplinary advisor to mining companies operating in complex environments, WSP is seeing increased momentum across three key areas:
- Responsible mine water use: From acid mine drainage to water scarcity and quality, water is a growing area of focus. Our clients are prioritising proactive water stewardship, including mine-wide water balances, passive treatment technologies, and catchment-scale planning.
- Responsible mine closure: Closure planning is shifting from compliance-focused exercises at end-of-life, to dynamic, adaptive strategies that are embedded into operations from the outset. We are helping clients design for closure—building infrastructure that can be repurposed, designing landscapes that support post-mining land uses, and integrating closure costs into operational decisions early on.
- Responsible development models: Mining is increasingly expected to create shared value. From community engagement and permitting to infrastructure co-investment and nature-positive development, mining projects are evolving to reflect more inclusive development outcomes. This is not only good for communities but it also de-risks projects and improves long-term investor confidence.
“Responsible mining has become a minimum expectation,” says Beauchamp. “The companies that will thrive in Africa are those that understand how to build trust, manage complexity, and embed sustainability into every project decision.”
Global expertise, local insight
In Africa, WSP draws on both global expertise and deep regional insight, enabling us to support clients across commodity types and project stages—from scoping and pre-feasibility through to operations and closure.
“What sets WSP apart is our ability to bridge global standards with local realities,” says Chetty. “Our teams in Africa are not just executing international best practice. Instead, they are shaping it in ways that reflect our continent’s unique challenges and strengths.”
WSP’s global mining & metals business benefits from strong technical leadership in areas such as mine design, rock mechanics, geochemistry, tailings and waste, environmental and social impact assessment, mine water management, and closure. With a local footprint that extends across key African mining jurisdictions, we are able to contextualise global best practices to local regulatory, environmental, and social realities.
Looking ahead
As WSP’s Global Director for Mining & Metals, Beauchamp is encouraged by the work teams are doing across Africa to position clients for future success.
“Our strategy is clear: to continue delivering Future Ready© solutions that help clients mine more efficiently, safely, and responsibly—while contributing to the development goals of host countries,” he says.
“We are focused on partnerships that deliver impact,” adds Chetty. “By investing in local talent, collaborating with governments and communities, and embracing innovation, we can help shape a mining sector that delivers enduring value for Africa.”
In Africa, this will mean further strengthening WSP’s partnerships with clients, governments, and communities. It will also mean leaning into digital technologies to improve performance and accountability, while continuing to invest in the next generation of African engineers, scientists, and professionals who will lead the responsible mining efforts of the future.
WSP in Africa is hiring! To find out more about available opportunities, check out the Careers page on our website or look out for updates on our LinkedIn page, @WSPinAfrica.
Image credit: Ink & Co/ Freepik