The gold mining sector is showing resilience and commitment in tackling environmental challenges, supporting host communities and prioritising worker safety as it progresses on a more sustainable path, says precious metals consultancy Metals Focus in its ‘Gold ESG Focus 2026’ report.

The report compares key environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics across 18 major gold miners to help provide a better understanding of these companies from an ESG perspective, alongside overall ESG trends in the gold mining industry.

Additionally, this year’s report also touches on some of the initiatives that are ongoing within the wider industry, such as the London Bullion Market Association’s (LBMA’s) Responsible Gold Guidance and the Gold Bar Integrity programme developed by the LBMA and the World Gold Council.

Metals Focus states that the ESG landscape continues to evolve as investors increasingly focus on demonstrable performance, risk management and accountability.

Additionally, climate change, human rights and operational resilience are increasingly central to industry standards.

The report details that, in 2025, extreme weather and political unrest halted processing or led to the suspension of operations at several gold mines, demonstrating how environmental and social risks can affect mine continuity and reinforcing the strategic importance of robust ESG frameworks across the global gold mining sector.

The 18 gold miners’ combined Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions remained virtually unchanged in 2025, while emissions intensity rose 7% and Scope 3 emissions declined.

Scope 1 emissions rose after two years of declines, driven by production changes and mergers and acquisitions.

Scope 2 emissions, however, fell for the fourth consecutive year as renewable energy use and power purchase agreements reduced reliance on conventional electricity. The report indicates that South African producers remained the largest Scope 2 emitters due to their reliance on State-owned power utility Eskom, whose energy mix is 82% coal.

Despite stable absolute emissions, Metals Focus says average emissions intensity rose 7% year-on-year to 0.9 t of CO₂ emissions per gold-equivalent ounce, reflecting higher Scope 1 emissions and lower gold supply.

Metals Focus mine supply director Sarah Tomlinson notes that, this year, the consultancy observed a mixed picture in the industry’s environmental performance, with combined Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions remaining virtually unchanged at 29.9-million tonnes of CO₂.

“At the same time, we recognise that challenges remain, as rising emissions intensity highlights the need for further action. Scope 3 emissions fell by 9%, although changes in reporting methodologies and procurement patterns also influenced this result.”

Moreover, Metals Focus says the energy consumption of the gold companies covered in the report rose by 4.8% year-on-year to 334 PJ in 2025.

Average energy intensity increased by 12% year-on-year to 10.2 GJ per gold-equivalent ounce, the highest level recorded in the dataset and 47% above 2016.

The report indicates that this reflected higher energy use alongside lower production at various companies. Deep-level underground mining remained particularly energy intensive.

Direct energy consumption rose by 17% year-on-year, accounting for 71% of total energy use, comparable to levels seen in 2022 and 2023.

Meanwhile, the report notes that payments to governments from gold companies covered in the report increased by 77% year-on-year to $18.2-billion, driven by stronger gold prices and fiscal changes, particularly in West Africa.

Metals Focus says Barrick Mining remained the largest contributor, paying $4.6-billion. Local procurement rose for the eighth consecutive year, climbing by $1.7-billion to $30.8-billion, with eight producers reporting record spending.

Companies also broadened procurement’s local economic impact.

The report notes that Gold Fields spent $1.3-billion with host communities, while Agnico Eagle awarded over $1.2-billion to indigenous businesses, highlighting the gold sector’s role in supporting host economies.

Supplier standards also gained prominence, with environmental practices, human rights and responsible sourcing increasingly considered alongside cost and local content.

“Companies continued to broaden procurement from host communities and indigenous businesses, while placing greater emphasis on environmental practices, human rights and responsible sourcing within their supply chains,” says Tomlinson.

Further, Metals Focus says fatalities reported by companies covered in the report fell to 21 in 2025, the lowest level since the Covid-19 pandemic.

These were concentrated in Africa and underground operations, with ground instability, mobile equipment and materials handling remaining the principal risks.

The report notes that Northern Star Resources and B2Gold extended their fatality-free records to 12 and ten years, respectively.

Companies strengthened critical controls, hazard identification and safety oversight, placing greater emphasis on near-miss reporting and verifying that controls are effective.

Technology, data analytics and remote monitoring supported these efforts, alongside workforce training and leadership engagement, as safety management increasingly focused on identifying and controlling potentially fatal hazards before incidents occur.

Tomlinson says these achievements demonstrate the importance of strong safety systems and risk management as the sector continues to strive toward its ultimate goal of zero harm.