EY says compliance delays and ore-grade variability are significant challenges for metals and mining

The company’s annual analysis of the sector identifies operational complexity as the top risk.

Mining organisations must adapt to greater complexity, disrupted supply chains and uncertainty that will outlast current political cycles, according to EY’s latest report.

The firm collated responses from 400 senior mining and metals executives, who highlight a sector focused on immediate pressures.

Compliance delays are ranked as the most significant cause of operational complexity with reserve-grade variability the second.

The report on The Top 10 business risks and opportunities for mining and metals in 2026 identifies operational complexity, capital and supply chain as the top three risks, with cybersecurity a new entry in the list.

The top 10 mining risks and opportunities listed for 2027 are:

1. Operational complexity
2. Capital
3. Supply chain
4. Rising costs
5. Geopolitics
6. Carbon
7. Sustainability
8. Changing business models
9. Cybersecurity
10. License to operate