Copper operations in Chile from 2021 will be powered by renewable energy this year, while  Brazilian iron ore and nickel operations will achieve this in 2022, said the miner.

A power purchase agreement with Peruvian utility Engie Energía Perú will also provide renewable energy for the Quellaveco copper operation in Peru that is expected to begin production in 2022.

"Copper has such an important role to play in enabling the global transition to a low carbon economy, so it is important for Anglo American's new world-class copper mine in Peru - Quellaveco - to lead the way by minimising its own carbon and broader environmental footprint," said Tom McCulley, chief executive of Anglo American in Peru.

Engie Energía Perú a subsidiary of France's Engie, will this year start development of the $300 million, 260MW Punta Lomitas wind project that will power Quellaveco.

In Chile, renewable energy supplied by Enel Chile, a Chilean subsidiary of Italian energy giant Ene, will power the Los Bronces copper mine, as well as Anglo's El Soldado and Chagres operations, under a deal signed in July 2019.

Atlas Renewable Energy agreed in March 2020 to supply Anglo American's Minas Gerais projects in Brazil with 9 TWh for 15 years from  2022. The Atlas Casablanca solar plant has an installed capacity of 330MW with more than 800,000 modules.

Anglo American has also a secured wind power agreement with Engie for supply from its Campo Largo Phase 2 Wind Farm, which is being implemented in the interior of Bahia, which will add 361.2MW in capacity. 

Anglo American has set a target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 and to be carbon neutral across by 2040.