Responsible mining

Responsible mining is commonly defined as mining that involves and respects all stakeholders, minimizes and takes account of its environmental impact, and prioritizes a fair division of economic and financial benefits.[1][2][3] There is a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, involving governments and the affected communities.

The underlying principles are based on existing international agreements, such as the Rio Declaration and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), involving polluter responsibility, equity, participatory decision making and accountability and transparency.[4] Because the Earth contains a finite amount of minerals – making mining a finite activity – the term responsible mining is preferred over sustainable mining.[5] In practice, responsible mining has different interpretations, referring to advocacy to reform mining activity, as well as to a marketing strategy used by mining companies to promote their operations as environmentally or socially sound. Goals may vary by group.

Responsible mining first appeared in an article entitled "Re-inhabitory Mining"[6] and next in another article titled "Ecological Mining".[7] The term "Responsible Mining" is also claimed as having been formulated by Ranil Senanayake of the International Analog Forestry Network and Brian Hill of the Institute for Cultural Ecology.

Overview

The mining and mineral industry produces necessary components for use in people’s daily lives.[8] Additionally, this industry plays a large role in many developing countries – such as Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Philippines, and Angola, yet has historically created a negative relationship between economic dependence and natural resources and GDP.[8] Companies operating in the mining and minerals industry navigate market demand for essential components and society’s expectations of social and environmental responsibility.[9]

Local communities expect that the risks and impacts of mining are compensated with employment and infrastructure benefits.[9] The industry is also expected to avoid ecologically and culturally sensitive sites, and to produce safe products that do not violate environmental and social standards.[9] In 1998, representatives from ten of the world’s largest mining corporations congregated at the Global Mining Initiative to address the negative attention surrounding the industry.[10] Their 2002 report found that the industry has damaged communities and ecosystems throughout the world, but there is also the potential to generate larger and quicker profits while supporting the community and the environment if mining activities are managed appropriately.[11]

If managed irresponsibly, the mining and minerals industry can foster economic growth and development at the detriment of society and the environment.[3] This can include environmental degradation, displaced populations, and local conflicts.[8] However, responsible mining can create economic growth and development by managing an equitable distribution of mining benefits amongst affected stakeholders.[3]

Media coverage

The Nation was critical of the concept in a February 2010 article by Matt Kennard titled "How Responsible Is Socially Responsible Mining?".[12]

Meanwhile, The New York Times has covered the marketing of jewelry made of 'responsibly-mined' gold[13] and the Pew Campaign's efforts to change the 1872 mining law.[14]

References
  1. Bice, Sara (2016). Responsible Mining: Key Principles for Industry Integrity. Routledge. ISBN 9781317658153.
  2. Broad, Robin (2014). "Responsible mining: Moving from a buzzword to real responsibility". The Extractive Industries and Society. Elsevier. 1 (1): 4–6. doi:10.1016/j.exis.2014.01.001.
  3. Arvanitidis, Nikolaos; Boon, Jan; Nurmi, Pekka; Di Capua, Giuseppe (2017). White Paper on Responsible Mining. International Association for Promoting Geoethics.
  4. Miranda, Marta; Chambers, David; Coumans, Catherine (2005). Framework for Responsible Mining: A Guide to Evolving Standards (PDF).
  5. Jarvie-Eggart, Michelle, E. (2015). Responsible Mining: Case Studies in Managing Social & Environmental Risks in the Developed World. SME. ISBN 9780873353731.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "Re-inhabitory Mining", City Miner, 1979, Vol.4, No.1, Berkeley, California
  7. "Ecological Mining", Restoring the Earth Conference, Berkeley, California, in Modern Gold Miner & Treasure Hunter, Nov./Dec., 1988
  8. Byambajav Dalaibuyan, Munkhzul Dorjsuren, Vigya Sharma, Usukhbayar Sainjargal, Ivan Gyozo Somlai, Gerelt-Od Erdenebileg (18 March 2019). "Training manual on responsible mining". United Nations Development Programme. Retrieved 18 December 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (2002). Breaking New Ground: The Report of the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development Project. Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development. ISBN 1-85383-907-8.
  10. Bice, Sara (2016). Responsible Mining: Key Principles for Industry Integrity. Routledge. ISBN 9781317658153.
  11. Goodland, Robert (2012). "Responsible Mining: The Key to Profitable Resource Development". Sustainability. 4 (9): 2099–2126. doi:10.3390/su4092099.
  12. Kennard, Matt (February 17, 2010). "How Sustainable is Socially Responsible Mining?". The Nation. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
  13. Johnson, Kirk (April 6, 2006). "With This Ethical Ring I Thee Wed (Published 2006)" – via NYTimes.com.
  14. "Opinion | Unchanged (for the Worse) Since 1872 (Published 2007)". August 20, 2007 – via NYTimes.com.
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