A WWF & Themis Publication

Beneath the Surface: The Environmental and Financial Crime Nexus in Illegal Mining Operations

Join us on Tuesday, 10^th March 2026 for the launch of our report on the financial sector's exposure to illegal mining. The report serves as a tailored resource for financial institutions, outlining the complexity of mining supply chains and highlighting how they intersect with financial crimes.

This report uncovers a critical gap: while 84% of financial institutions operate in high-risk segments for illegal mining exposure, mitigation efforts remain dangerously limited. With illegal mining generating up to $48 billion annually in criminal proceeds and driving massive deforestation across critical ecosystems, the financial sector faces hidden liabilities tied to environmental destruction, money laundering and human rights abuses.

The findings build on the Environmental Crimes Financial Toolkit jointly developed by WWF and Themis, which provides financial institutions with practical guidance on identifying and mitigating environmental crime risks across multiple sectors, including mining.

What You'll Learn

• How illegal mining intersects with financial crime across the entire value chain
• Key vulnerability points in transport, equipment provision and manufacturing sectors
• Why 40% of financial institutions still don't screen for illegal mining risks
• Case studies revealing criminal networks and environmental destruction
• Practical guidance for enhancing due diligence and risk mitigation

Event Details

• Themis, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND
• Tuesday, 10^th March 2026
• 9:00am - 11:00am

Agenda

• Breakfast & Coffees
  9:00am - 9:30am

• Introduction
  ‍John Dodsworth, Head of Deforestation Strategy at WWF-UK
  9:30am - 9:45am
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• Guest Speaker
  Julia Yansura, Program Director, Environmental Crime & Illicit Finance at The Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition
  9:45am - 10:00am

• Report launch
  ‍Olivia Dakeyne, Research Principal at Themis, and Emily Hsu, Senior Financial and Environmental Crime Researcher at Themis
  10:00am - 10:30am

• Audience Q&A
  10:30am - 10:45am

• Networking
  10:45am - 11:00am