From heavy industry to clean growth

Chapter notes

Chapter 1: What Resources will Future Economies Require? (00:00–11:30)

• Katie outlines the scenarios shaping Anglo American’s strategy - supporting the global transition through premium iron ore, decarbonisation partnerships, and low-carbon fertiliser innovation.
• She describes “future-smart” mines that integrate automation and circular models, from green-steel collaborations to natural fertilisers that improve soil health and reduce emissions - illustrating the wider push toward more responsible mining.

Chapter 2: Innovation, collaboration, and scale (11:30–23:00)

• The discussion turns to the speed of industrial innovation. Katie highlights advances such as renewable joint ventures in South Africa and carbon-storing nickel by-products in Brazil.
• Both guests note that scaling these breakthroughs requires new financing models, stronger links between innovation and operations, and more adaptive permitting systems.
• Progress depends on cross-sector partnerships and on local champions who drive deployment and persistence on the ground.

Chapter 3: More mining, less extraction (23:00–27:30)

• Faustine reframes the narrative: while the world will need more mining, total extraction will decline as fossil fuel use drops.
• She argues that success depends on policy certainty and long-term demand signals, enabling companies to invest confidently in clean technologies like green steel and hydrogen.
• Collaboration across value chains - from miners to manufacturers - is vital to create viable markets for sustainable materials.

Chapter 4: Leadership and the just transition (27:30–36:30)

• Both speakers stress that industrial transformation must also be socially just. Katie points to South Africa’s Just Transition framework as an emerging example of collaboration between government, business and communities.
• On leadership, she calls for bold, adaptive leaders able to navigate uncertainty, learn from failure, and bridge commercial and sustainability goals.
• Faustine adds: “True leadership is not just about navigating what’s coming - it’s about shaping what’s coming.”

Key quotes

“Sustainable leadership means making space for experimentation and learning - we can’t innovate without being willing to fail fast.” - Katie Fergusson

 

“True leadership is not just about navigating what’s coming; it’s about shaping what’s coming.” - Faustine Delasalle

Key takeaways

• Responsible mining is essential: The world needs critical minerals, but production must minimize carbon, water, and social impacts.
• Partnership drives progress: Collaboration across sectors, supply chains, and governments accelerates innovation and de-risks transition investments.
• Policy stability matters: Clear, long-term frameworks give investors confidence to back new technologies and infrastructure.
• Innovation must scale: Bridging the gap between pilot projects and deployment requires new financing, mindset shifts, and regulatory agility.
• Leadership in complexity: Future leaders must balance vision with adaptability, combining commercial insight with social and environmental responsibility.