Sustainable Development of Mineral Resources

Abstract

The concept of Sustainable Development evolved through the efforts of the World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission) during the period 1982–1987 and rested on two basic premises: the issue of “need” for the deprived section of society and “limits” on the ability of the environment to satisfy the need of the present and future generations. Formally, Sustainable Development was defined as: “the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own need.” The scope of this definition was widened in the World Summit of Johannesburg in 2002 to include “economic development, social development and environmental protection at local, regional and global levels.” Many interpretations of Sustainable Development were put forward in later years, but they were all based differently on the foundation of these “three pillars of sustainability.” More recently, Sustainable Development is understood in terms of complex systems which require nonlinear, organic approach and is not to be considered as a target to be achieved. The concept of sustainable development, however, has had an ambiguous relationship with the extractive industry because of its intrinsic nature, leading to negative consequences. But can our modern societies do without the earth materials for industrial use? Can we really do away with mining? The answer is obvious even to the layman. Hence, the challenge of “Sustainable Development in the Mines and Minerals sector” is to ensure “environmental responsibility” during mining and processing, in which the damage to the environment (including social environment) is to be balanced with the Earth’s capacity for accommodating it. Some well-accepted prescribed steps need to be followed in this regard to achieve sustainable development of mineral resources, keeping in mind the valuable guiding principles of reduce, replace, and recycle. “Free prior and informed consent” of all the stakeholders must be obtained by the mining industry if development is to be truly sustainable. Further, an alternative interpretation is required for a better understanding of the relationship between sustainable development and mining: a natural resource capital (a mineral or fuel resource) is converted by mining into an economic capital which can be reinvested to create or enhance other forms of capital, as exemplified by the “Alaska Fund.” Fast depletion of mineral resources and their long-term availability has been a serious concern for some time now, particularly since ecological footprint of humanity and limits to growth became the focal points of international debate. Though the proponents of “fixed stock paradigm” draw a gloomy picture, discovery of new deposits, advancement of technology and more use of low-grade material have extended the life expectancies of mineral resources. While social costs may limit the use of mineral commodities in future, per capita material throughputs of rich nations must be reduced if sustainable development should become a reality.