Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Process for Sustainable Mining and Mineral Management Development

Abstract

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process can be broadly defined as a study of the impacts of a proposed project, plan, project, policy or legislative action on the environment and sustainability. SEA process has been aimed to incorporate environmental and sustainability factors into mining and mineral (MM) project planning and decision making (MMPPDM) process. Sustainable MM development is a kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability and efficacy of future generations to meet their own MM needs. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process can be defined as the systematic study of the potential impacts (effects) of proposed MM projects, plans, programs, policies or legislative actions relative to the physical-chemical, biological, cultural, and socio-economic components of the total environmental product life cycle. The primary purpose of the EIA process is to encourage the consideration of the environment in MMPPDM process and to arrive at actions that are environmentally compatible. MMPP-DM process should include the integrated consideration of technical or engineering, economic, environmental, safety, and health, social and sustainability factors to achieve business excellence. The objective of the study is to conceptualize SEA process for the MM sector based on fifteen number of sustainable detailed project reports (DPRs) submitted by the extension learners of Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Business Management (DEBM)...