Application of multi-attribute decision-making methods in SWOT analysis of mine waste management (case study: Sirjan's Golgohar iron mine, Iran)

Abstract

Mines provide essential materials for life and human progress; however, on the other hand, the possibility of life and having healthy environment is adversely affected by increasing pollution. Mine waste (tailing) is one of the pollutants generated by mines that should be properly managed. Nowadays, strategic management by using appropriate tools and technology is essential for the proper management of waste everywhere, including the urban, rural, medical, industrial, and mining environments. This study aims to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), and strategies for waste management in iron mines and provide a quantitative basis to analytically determine the ranking of the factors in SWOT analysis via conventional multi-criteria decision-making methods: Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS).The AHP method was used to calculate the weights of evaluation criteria and the TOPSIS method was preferred because of its capability to use both negative and positive criteria among the SWOT factors. The results of the evaluation matrix of internal and external factors showed that overall, the strengths overcame the weaknesses. However, if the opportunities are used well and correctly, threats can be overcome and weaknesses can be eliminated. Therefore, strategies based on weaknesses–opportunities (WO) are first priority. Sixteen strategies that are presented based on the SWOTs and prioritized based on TOPSIS could be useful for Sirjan's Golgohar iron ore to develop and promote its future mine waste management at the strategic level.