Water-Energy-Food Security: What are the potential contributions of the mining industry?

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explores the intersection of the mining industry and Water-Energy-Food (WEF) security. It proposes a methodological framework using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model and hydrological modelling to manage the risks and opportunities associated with mining developments, featuring a current application of this approach in Suriname.

• The mining industry faces increasing pressure due to projected growth in metals demand, which is expected to rise by 250 per cent between 2005 and 2030, and an expected 37 per cent increase in global ore extraction between 2010 and 2020, growing from 8 billion to 11 billion tonnes annually.
• In the context of mining, WEF security issues typically center on water quality and quantity downstream of sites, competition for land used for food production and markets, and the need for reliable, cost-effective energy.
• IISD utilizes a methodological approach to understand WEF in mining that combines participatory and analytical tools. This includes the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to explore cause-and-effect relationships and hydrological modelling, often using a simple mass balance approach, to quantify current conditions and predict future impacts on WEF systems.
• IISD is applying its WEF-sensitive approach in Suriname to the Maripaston Gold Mine project to ensure it does not conflict with the wellbeing of downstream indigenous and maroon communities. This application involves stakeholder workshops, hydrological modelling, the development of a monitoring indicator set, and the creation of a model indicator set that can be applied to other mining communities globally.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). Water-Energy-Food Security: What are the potential contributions of the mining industry? https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/water-energy-food-security-mining-industry.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Water-Energy-Food Security: What are the potential contributions of the mining industry? n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/water-energy-food-security-mining-industry.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Water-Energy-Food Security: What are the potential contributions of the mining industry? |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/water-energy-food-security-mining-industry.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentndwaterenergyfood, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Water-Energy-Food Security: What are the potential contributions of the mining industry?}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/water-energy-food-security-mining-industry.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }