All the refined metals needed to reach net zero by 2050 will add up to less than the amount of coal mined in 2023 alone, according to Energy Transitions Commission.
Beard, 57, was accused last month by the SFO of conspiring to make corrupt payments to government officials and state-owned oil firm employees in Nigeria and Cameroon.
Leading miners have seen their valuations decline as slowing growth for electric cars and a weaker economy in China curtail demand for some commodities.
