Mining faces some of the most difficult challenges of any industry and is distrusted by many, according to a report by the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
The study, titled Breaking New Ground: What Can Minerals Do for Development?, was designed to pinpoint social issues related to mining and to outline possible solutions, such as sustainable development.
“It’s difficult to succeed in business when you’re in an industry with a bad reputation,” says Robert Wilson, chairman of Rio Tinto. “If we allowed the widespread negative attitudes to mining to persist, we would have difficulty gaining access to resources and marketing our products.”
To help remedy the situation, the IIED began participating in the Mining Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) project, which was commissioned by the Geneva-based World Business Council for Sustainable Development. The research project was funded by several mining companies, and the conclusions are included in Breaking New Ground.
“Society’s continuing need for various mineral commodities is clear,” the report states. “Equally clear is that simply meeting market demand for minerals will not achieve what society expects and insists on.”
According to the report, these expectations include the following:
q Countries, especially those with emerging economies, expect that mining will help sustain industrial growth.
q Local communities expect mining to provide employment, infrastructure and other benefits.
q Employees expect safe working conditions and job security.
q Locals expect respect and support for basic human rights.
q Environmental groups expect mining companies not to disrupt ecologically and culturally sensitive areas.
q Investors expect higher returns.
q Consumers expect safe products without having to exploit workers or the environment.
The full report is available on the Internet at www.iied.org/mmsd
— The preceding is an excerpt from Gold News, a publication of the Washington, D.C.-based Gold Institute.
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