Using corporate sustainability reporting to assess the environmental footprint of titanium and zirconium mining

•Current and future environmental impact of Ti and Zr extraction are outlined•While HMS mining has generally higher water use and energy requirements than ilmenite-dominant hard-rock deposits, ilmenite derived from hard-rock sources is usually beneficiated into Ti-slag, thereby adding considerably to energy requirements and water use.•There is no clear relationship between energy intensity and emissions, as emissions are mostly dependent on a deposit's location, access to energy sources and reliability of that access.•Policy and reporting implications based on these results are outlined.•This paper highlights opportunities for emissions reductions, and assists in measuring progress towards net zero targets