Australia stands to win from a once-in-a-generation shift in demand to minerals needed to power a cleaner world, but miners are being urged to decarbonise their own patch.
Advances in technology have made low-emissions mining commercially viable, according to a report released on Thursday to kick off a two-day mining conference in Perth.
The Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) says local miners can profit from the clean energy transition while contributing to cutting national greenhouse gas emissions.
Australia's green bank is already backing early movers in more sustainable mining, including Pilbara Minerals' Pilgangoora Project and technology start-up Novalith.
Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) spokesman Rob Wilson said the world needs a different mix of minerals and metals to power the low-emissions economies of the future, and Australia has a large share.
Gains for critical minerals are tipped to offset the headwinds posed by declining demand for high-emitting fossil fuels.
Iron ore, bauxite, lead, chromium and manganese demand will grow, although increased recycling rates will moderate demand for raw materials.
Nickel, cobalt, lithium and rare earths are expected to experience a surge in demand as the electrification of transport and battery storage accelerates.
Copper growth will reflect demand for wind turbines, solar panels, transport and battery storage.
But miners are warned they could become less competitive if they fail to keep up when it comes to new technology, with more sustainably sourced ingredients for clean energy set to attract a premium on world markets.
MRIWA chief executive Nicole Roocke urged the mining industry to work together to examine new methods for mining and mineral processing.
"The task is large but not impossible," she said.
"There are companies today pushing the boundaries already demonstrating what is possible."
Australia is among the top producers of the world's key mineral commodities, with the mining sector accounting for almost 10 per cent of national carbon emissions.
The sector's lack of access to grid electricity at remote operations and reliance on diesel and gas have made it a challenge to cut emissions.
The new report includes practical advice on how to write and roll out decarbonisation plans, measure baseline energy and emissions profiles, and assess renewable technologies suitable for different mines.
For example, battery firm 3ME Technology is helping miners replace diesel engines with battery systems and Ark Energy in Queensland is developing massive electric trucks capable of transporting ore - both backed by the CEFC.
