Mining, Society, and a Sustainable World


Book Description

This is the first book of peer-reviewed, edited papers that examines the minerals industry in relation to sustainable development. The book takes a proactive, positivist, and solution-oriented approach, while not shying away from the fundamental problems.




Mining, Society, and a Sustainable World


Book Description

This is the first book of peer-reviewed, edited papers that examines the minerals industry in relation to sustainable development. The book takes a proactive, positivist, and solution-oriented approach, while not shying away from the fundamental problems.




Mining and Sustainable Development


Book Description

Mining is a transformative activity which has numerous economic, social and environmental impacts. These impacts can be both positive and adverse, enhancing as well as disrupting economies, ecosystems and communities. The extractive industries have been criticised heavily for their adverse impacts and involvement in significant social and environmental scandals. More recently, these industries have sought to respond to negative perceptions and have embraced the core principles of sustainability. This sector could be regarded as a leader in sustainability initiatives, evident from the various developments and frameworks in mining and sustainability that have emerged over time. This book reviews current topical issues in mining and sustainable development. It addresses the changing role of minerals in society, the social acceptance of mining, due diligence in the mining industry, critical and contemporary debates such as mining and indigenous peoples and transit worker accommodation, corporate sustainability matters such as sustainability reporting and taxation, and sustainability solutions through an emphasis on renewable energy and shared-used infrastructure. Written by experts from Australia, Europe and North America, but including examples from both developed and developing countries, the chapters provide a contemporary understanding of sustainability opportunities and challenges in the mining industry. The book will be of interest to practitioners, government and civil society as well as scholars and students with interests in mining and sustainable development.




Responsible Mining


Book Description

Mining Can Be Environmentally and Socially Responsible—and Still Profitable Even in this regulated, environmentally aware world, running a mine can be done safely, with combined goals of maximizing both the return on investment from extraction and the positive environmental and social impact that a well-run, responsible mine can offer. Responsible Mining is your comprehensive guide to addressing social and environmental risks at mines in the developed world. This book gathers case studies of best practices across the full range of issues. With examples from four continents, you can learn from both your home territory and around the world. Seventy-two leading mine engineers, forestry scientists, conservationists, environmental consultants, sustainability professionals, and geologists from prominent universities, extraction businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and governments have come together within these pages to lead you safely and profitably toward socially, environmentally, and economically beneficial mining practices. Organized around ten sustainability principles required of International Council on Mining and Metals members (including some of the largest extraction businesses in the world), the book addresses nearly every environmental and social consequence of mining in developed countries, including: · Protecting biodiversity · Minimizing negative impacts on climate change · Interacting appropriately with indigenous peoples · Enhancing the local community and reducing poverty · Reusing and recycling materials · Recovering energy · Recapturing and reusing water · Managing proper storage, reclamation, and disposal of tailings · Restoring the land after ceasing mining operations You will want to make this book required reading for all members of your team who are responsible for environmental compliance, resource recovery, sustainability, energy management, and marketing/public relations to facilitate cross-departmental discussions about how to incorporate best practices into your business plans.




Energy for a Sustainable World


Book Description

An easy read, balancing the pros and cons, this book surveys the energy issue from a broad scientific perspective while considering environmental, economic, and social factors. It explains the basic concepts, provides a historical overview of energy resources, assesses our unsustainable energy system based on fossil fuels, and shows that the energy crisis is not only a tough challenge, but also an unprecedented opportunity to become more concerned about the world in which we live and the society we have built up. By outlining the alternatives for today and the future, it gives an extensive overview on nuclear energy, solar thermal and photovoltaics, solar fuels, wind power, ocean energies and other renewables, highlighting the increasing importance of electricity and the long-term perspectives of a hydrogen-based economy. An excellent source of updated and carefully documented information on the entangled aspects of the energy issue, this book is a guide for scientists, students and teachers looking for ways out of the energy and climate crisis, and the problems and disparities generated during the fossil fuel era.




Mining, Society, and the Environment


Book Description




Sustainable Minerals Operations in the Developing World


Book Description

The sustainable development of minerals, which are non-renewable resources, is a major challenge in today's world. In this regard the true definition of 'sustainability' is a debating point in itself: can such a concept exist with respect to non-renewable resources? Perhaps the ideal sustainability model is one that minimizes negative environmental impact and maximizes benefits to society, the economy and regional/national development. Developed and near-developed economies rely for commodity supplies on developing countries where major mining operations are often a mainstay of the domestic economy. Limited environmental regulation and low wages lead to charges of exploitation. Also, large numbers of people have no alternative to living by informal, often dangerous, 'artisanal' mining. This Special Publication gives examples from developing countries from all scales of mineral extraction. The volume reviews environmental, economic, health and social problems and highlights the need to solve these before sustainability can be achieved. The better solutions require mutual understanding, through full involvement of all stakeholders, education, training and investment so that small-scale and artisanal mines can grow into well-managed operations. At larger scales, most major international mining companies have now improved their practices and are monitoring their progress, although there is no room for complacency in this rapidly changing area.




Standing up for a Sustainable World


Book Description

The world has witnessed extraordinary economic growth, poverty reduction and increased life expectancy and population since the end of WWII, but it has occurred at the expense of undermining life support systems on Earth and subjecting future generations to the real risk of destabilising the planet. This timely book exposes and explores this colossal environmental cost and the dangerous position the world is now in. Standing up for a Sustainable World is written by and about key individuals who have not only understood the threats to our planet, but also become witness to them and confronted them.




Sustainable Mining Practices


Book Description

A perfect introduction to sustainable mining for those new to the subject or those who require some revision, this book provides a basic overview of international sustainable mining practices since 1992, with particular emphasis upon practices in the Americas, Asia and Europe. The text begins by addressing issues such as the volume of waste generated by mining, mine closure planning and the environmental impacts, and then goes into specific detail in the following areas: cleaner production practices in Australia; blasting impacts and their control in the US; minimizing surface water impacts; minimizing groundwater impacts; use of environmental indicators in mining; and emerging mining technologies that minimize environmental impacts. The text contains relevant examples and case histories for ease of revision, and also includes a chapter on Best Mining Practices for Sustainable Mining and sub-chapters on small-scale mining, tailings pond management and hazardous waste management.




Mining, Materials, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)


Book Description

Mining, Materials, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 2030 and Beyond provides a systematic assessment of how the mining and materials sector contributes to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations in 2015. While the target date of 2030 is considered a benchmark for reaching these goals, the book looks beyond this date and considers a longer-term vision. FEATURES Written by a consortium of authors from developing and developed countries Offers coverage of environmental, economic, and social dimensions of the SDGs Follows the 17 SDGs and includes a short chapter on each, followed by a case example Includes longer conceptual chapters that consider cross-cutting issues as well Aimed at those working in minerals, mining, and materials, this work offers readers a practical vision of how these sectors can have a positive impact on meeting these vital global targets.