Mark Cutifani calls on mining to accelerate

Among the many high-profile discussions at the World Mining Congress (WMC) 2026 in Lima, one message stood out as particularly timely.

During one of the Congress’ keynote addresses, former Anglo American CEO and Odin Partnership Partner Mark Cutifani challenged mining leaders to rethink how the industry responds to the unprecedented demand for critical minerals. His message was clear: the future of mining depends not simply on discovering more resources, but on delivering them faster, more efficiently, and more responsibly.

The speech reflected the broader mission of WMC 2026, bringing together global CEOs, policymakers, investors, researchers, and technology leaders to address the defining questions shaping the future of mining. At a time when supply security, decarbonization, digital transformation, and geopolitical resilience dominate the global agenda, few platforms carry the international influence of the World Mining Congress.

The critical minerals challenge is no longer about demand

According to Cutifani, the industry already knows that demand for critical minerals will continue to grow. The real challenge is whether mining can deliver new supply quickly enough while maintaining high environmental, social, and governance standards. Speaking during WMC 2026, he identified three priorities that require urgent attention: faster permitting, greater operational efficiency, and accelerated technological innovation.

Faster permitting without lowering standards

One of Cutifani’s strongest messages focused on permitting and community engagement. „We must ensure that our permitting processes and the way we engage with local communities minimize delays while also delivering the right outcomes for those communities. This has been one of the industry’s key challenges over the past 20 years.”

His comments reinforce a growing consensus across the mining sector: competitiveness will increasingly depend on regulatory certainty, efficient approval processes, and strong partnerships with local communities.

Productivity and technology must move together

Cutifani argued that meeting future mineral demand is not simply about opening new mines. Existing operations must become more productive through innovation, automation, digitalization, and new ways of working. „We need people focused on new ways of working and new technologies that enable us to optimize current operations and extend the life of existing assets.”

As ore bodies become deeper and increasingly complex, technology is evolving from a competitive advantage into a business necessity. „Our mines are becoming deeper and more complex, and we are mining lower-grade ores. That is why technological innovation will be essential to improving productivity in the face of this growing complexity.”

Why this conversation matters

The significance of Cutifani’s keynote extended beyond operational performance. It reflected the central purpose of WMC 2026: creating a global platform where industry leaders can develop practical solutions to accelerate responsible mining while securing the minerals required for electrification, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and the energy transition.

As governments and companies seek to build resilient critical mineral supply chains, the industry’s success will increasingly depend on its ability to combine faster execution with innovation, collaboration, and responsible development. That is precisely why Mark Cutifani’s keynote became one of the defining conversations of WMC 2026.