Anglo American announced that it will source 100 percent renewable energy for all of its operations in Brazil, Chile and Peru.

In a statement released on April 15, Anglo American said it has signed an agreement with Engie Energía Perú to provide 100 percent renewable energy for the Quellaveco copper operation in Peru that is expected to begin production in 2022. Anglo American already secured renewable energy to meet all its power requirements for its iron ore and nickel operations in Brazil from 2022, and for its copper operations in Chile from 2021.

“Copper has such an important role to play in enabling the global transition to a low carbon economy, so it is important for Anglo American’s new world-class copper mine in Peru – Quellaveco – to lead the way by minimizing its own carbon and broader environmental footprint,” Tom McCulley, CEO of Anglo American in Peru, said in a statement. “The combination of renewable energy and our FutureSmart Mining program’s higher precision technologies which target the required metals and minerals more precisely, with reduced water, energy and capital intensity, is changing the very nature of mining and how our stakeholders experience our business – for the better.”

Anik Michaud, Group Director of Corporate Relations & Sustainable Impact at Anglo American, added: “It is our duty to produce the metals and minerals that society needs as responsibly as current technologies allow, while continuing to stretch ourselves and our business partners to improve our performance even further. Our sourcing of only renewable energy to power our operations across South America marks another step towardour 2030 GHG reduction target of 30% that is embedded in our Sustainable Mining Plan and towards our commitment to be carbon neutral across our global operational footprint by 2040.”