[Review] Emma Gilberthorpe and Gavin Hilson (2014) Natural resource extraction and indigenous livelihoods: development challenges in an era of globalization978-1-4094-3777-2, £65.60 (h/b), pp. 279).

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Mining enterprise and partnerships for socio-economic development

Partnerships are emerging as important for the business operations of mining enterprises in many parts of the world, particularly in the global South. During 2010, the London-based International Council on Mining and Minerals launched a global initiative which is geared to strengthen the contribution of mining to development goals and poverty reduction by promoting multi-stakeholder partnerships. The purpose of this article is to furnish a critical review of relevant international experience of partnerships between mining companies and governments. These partnerships are considered to represent innovative cooperation models for economic development (especially diversification) and service delivery. It is argued that whilst partnerships represent an aspect of good business practice for mining enterprises, partnerships are not a panacea and in certain situations may not be an appropriate model for delivering results. In light of the significance of socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa, and of the potential for expansion of mining activities, further research is required concerning the operations of mining enterprises and partnerships in this region of the global economy

Environmental sustainability in the mining sector: evidence from Catalan companies

This paper examines the adoption of environmental practices in small and medium sized companies inthe surface mining industry in Catalonia (Spain). To fulfill this aim, a survey of 41 items concernint environmental management systems and environmentally sustainable practices has been conducted. Results show that companies have committed themselves to environmental and sustainable issues. The majority of companies claim to understand the effects of their activities on the environment and they care for responsible access and management of natural resources. Restoration plans and the annual waste declaration are mandatory in Catalonia, and rational resources exploitation practices have been adopted by a high percentage of mines. Finally, some examples of good environmentally sustainable practices are introduced.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft

Assessing the Energy Management Culture of Global Leading Mining Companies: Curbing Carbon Emissions in a World of Growing Climate Change Concerns

Industries such as the oil, mining and chemical industry have been under a lot of pressure from governments and certain organizations worldwide to reduce their carbon footprint. The United Nations (UN), the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and other organizations, have mapped out policies and recommendations that can be used to achieve this. Mining companies all over the world have adopted sustainability commitments based on recommendations by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and have set targets for managing their energy use and GHG emissions. This research assessed the energy management culture of twenty (20) leading mining companies worldwide, using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, Affordable and Clean Energy and 13, Climate Action as a performance metric, and established a trend of adaptation to these sustainability goals. Results showed that the mining industry is so far on an average, committed to achieving 80% of these goals. An investigation into the activities of these mining companies revealed what renewable technologies and energy management structures are currently being used. This research also reviewed how renewable technologies are a product of mining, which goes to prove that mining is essential in the combat of climate change. Future work will focus on assessing the impact of these management goals on the economic model of the companies

ASSESSING THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT CULTURE OF GLOBAL LEADING MINING COMPANIES: CURBING CARBON EMISSIONS IN A WORLD OF GROWING CLIMATE CHANGE CONCERNS

Industries such as the oil, mining and chemical industry have been under a lot of pressure from governments and certain organizations worldwide to reduce their carbon footprint. The United Nations (UN), the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and other organizations, have mapped out policies and recommendations that can be used to achieve this. Mining companies all over the world have adopted sustainability commitments based on recommendations by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and have set targets for managing their energy use and GHG emissions. This research assessed the energy management culture of twenty (20) leading mining companies worldwide, using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, Affordable and Clean Energy and 13, Climate Action as a performance metric, and established a trend of adaptation to these sustainability goals. Results showed that the mining industry is so far on an average, committed to achieving 80% of these goals. An investigation into the activities of these mining companies revealed what renewable technologies and energy management structures are currently being used. This research also reviewed how renewable technologies are a product of mining, which goes to prove that mining is essential in the combat of climate change. Future work will focus on assessing the impact of these management goals on the economic model of the companies

Ethical Analysis of Soma Mining Inc.’s Role in the Soma Coal Mine Fire, Turkey, 2014

This report presents an ethical analysis of the actions taken by Soma Mining Inc. regarding the Soma Mine Disaster as well as an evaluation of their existing safety infrastructure. Soma Mining Inc. is responsible for neglecting worker safety in order to prioritize company profits. Failure to provide functional safety equipment, construct emergency escape routes and safe rooms, establish a reliable system for communication, as well as implement a practiced emergency response plan led to the tragic deaths of 301 workers and the injury of an additional 80. The Turkish government perpetuates this negligence of worker safety as a result of their agenda to maximize profits from the mining industry. The Turkish government owns the majority of Turkish coal mines and exercises control over the safety regulation of these mines. The profitdriven interests of the Turkish government pose a conflict of interest when making decisions regarding the enforcement of safety standards in the mining industry. Enabled by such corruption, Soma Mining Inc. ignored the standards set forth by mining safety regulations. Soma Mining Inc. is directly responsible for the mass worker casualty of the Soma Mine Disaster as well as the devastating economic and social consequences that befell the surrounding communities. The actions of Soma Mining Inc. are evaluated against the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Mining Principles.Randall, D'ArcyChemical Engineerin

Emerging Practices in Community Development Agreements

A Community Development Agreement or CDA can be a vital mechanism for ensuring that local communities benefit from large-scale investment projects, such as mines or forestry concessions. In formalizing agreements between an investor and a project-affected community, CDAs set out how the benefits of an investment project will be shared with local communities. In some countries CDAs are required by domestic legislation; in others, they are entered into voluntarily. The most effective CDAs are also adapted to the local context, meaning that no single model agreement or process will be appropriate in every situation. Nonetheless, leading practices are emerging which can be required by governments or voluntarily adopted by companies and communities. This briefing note reviews existing research, as well as available agreements from the extractive sector in Australia, Canada, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Ghana and Greenland, to highlight these leading practices

Assessing health impacts within environmental impact assessments: An opportunity for public health globally which must not remain missed

Within the member states of the United Nations 190 of 193 have regulated Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) which is a systematic process to prevent and mitigate the potential environmental impacts of industry development projects before these occur. However, the routine and comprehensive assessment of health impacts within EIAs remains underdeveloped. Focusing, as an example, on the risks to global health from the global shift in the mining industry towards Low and Middle Income Countries LMIC), this viewpoint details why connecting with EIA is an essential task for the health system. Although existing knowledge is out of date in relation to global practice we identify how health has been included, to some extent, in High Income Country EIAs and the institutional requirements for doing so. Using arguments identified by industry themselves about requiring a ‘social license to operate’, we conclude that EIA regulations provide the best current mechanism to ensure health protection is a core aspect in the decision making process to approve projects