A scientometrics view on sustainable development in surface mining: Everything from the beginning

In summary, the study on sustainable development in the late 20th century aimed to balance economic, social, and environmental factors in open-pit mining. The study found that while mining has negative ecological impacts, it also has positive economic and social benefits. The study analyzed 77 articles and found a growing trend in scientific interest in sustainable development research from 1985 to 2022. This suggests that there has been a growing trend in using qualitative research methods in studies related to sustainable development in the mining industry in the past ten years. This is likely due to a shift in focus toward finding ways to improve the positive impacts and mitigate the negative impacts of this development in light of technology advancements and changes in environmental and social regulations. This highlights the importance of using a comprehensive approach that considers all aspects of sustainable development in studying small-scale mining. Given the significance of small-scale mining to the economies of many mining communities, it is crucial to develop clear regulations and guidelines that align with the principles of sustainable development. This will help ensure that the industry operates responsibly and sustainably. This statement emphasizes the importance of updating research methods to reflect the latest technological advancements and the interdisciplinary nature of sustainable development. As technology and other fields of study continue to advance and intersect with the issue of sustainable development in the mining industry, it is essential to incorporate these new advancements and perspectives into future studies. This will help ensure that research in this area remains relevant and comprehensive

Corporate social responsibility in complex systems based on sustainable development

In recent years, sustainable development and the commitment of companies to social responsibility have been emphasized as a new concern for various industries. Considering this issue, for the first time, this study conducted a systematic review of the development of social responsibility from the perspective of industrial sustainable development (SD). To be more precise, this study investigated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with regard to the SD indicators in the mining industry. To do so, all articles published in this field from the beginning until the end of 2023 were extracted from the Scopus database through a detailed screening process. An evaluation of the selected papers in terms of CSR with respect to the indicators of SD revealed six major research themes: 1) the role of CSR in mining communities, 2) the role of CSR in mining companies, 3) the role of CSR in environmental control around mines, 4) the impact of CSR on stakeholders, 5) planning in the field of CSR in mining communities, and 6) CSR/sustainability reporting. All of these research themes are found to be directly associated with SD indicators (i.e., social, economic, and environmental indicators). At the end of the paper, research gaps in this area are introduced for further studies

Multi-criteria Decision-making Methods for Sustainable Decisionmaking in the Mining Industry (A Comprehensive Study)

Source at https://jme.shahroodut.ac.ir/article_3016.html.The mining industry operates in a complex and dynamic environment and faces many challenges that can negatively affect sustainable development goals. To avoid these effects, mining needs to adopt strategic decisions. Therefore, it requires effective decision-making processes for resource optimization, operational efficiency, and sustainability. Multicriteria decision-making methods (MCDM) have been considered valuable decision-support tools in the mining industry. This article comprehensively examines MCDM methods and their applications in the mining industry. This article discusses the basic principles and concepts of MCDM methods, including the ability to prioritize and weigh conflicting, multiple criteria and support decision-makers in evaluating diverse options. According to the results, 1579 MCDM articles in mining have been published from the beginning to April 15, 2023, and a scientometric analysis was done on these articles. In another part of this article, 19 MCDM methods, among the most important MCDM methods in this field, have been examined. The process of doing work in 17 cases of the reviewed methods is presented visually. Overall, this paper is a valuable resource for researchers, mining industry professionals, policymakers, and decision-makers that can lead to a deeper understanding of the application of MCDM methods in mining. By facilitating informed decision-making processes, MCDM methods can potentially increase operational efficiency, resource optimization, and sustainable development in various mining sectors, ultimately contributing to mining projects' long-term success and sustainability

Building ecological literacy in mining communities: A sustainable development perspective

Ecological Literacy (EL) is understanding and applying ecological principles to environmental issues. It involves recognizing the interdependence of living organisms and ecosystems and the impacts of human actions on the environment. EL individuals possess knowledge of biodiversity, ecological processes, and sustainability, enabling them to make informed, environmentally responsible decisions. This knowledge is essential for addressing ecological challenges and promoting sustainable development in all industries and communities. EL is a new concept in the mining industry introduced in this paper. Mining has a direct impact on ecology. This paper provides an overview of EL and its application in the mining industry, examining the potential benefits of EL for achieving sustainable and responsible mining. Results show that prioritizing EL Training (ELT) in the mining communities for countries with many mines has a higher priority than other industries. Also, in mining communities, ELT to workers, engineers engaged in mining, and government managers have a higher priority than other sectors in mining, respectively

Climate Change Impacts on Mining Value Chain: A Systematic Literature Review

Mining is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change (CC). The consequences of changing weather patterns, such as extreme weather events that can damage equipment, infrastructure, mining facilities, and operation interruption, are the source of the vulnerability. The new demand initiated by governments and international agreements put extra pressure on mining industries to update their policies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to CC, such as carbon pricing systems, renewable energy, and sustainable development. Most mining and exploration industries focus on reducing mining’s impact and climate mitigation on CC rather than adapting to extreme weather events. Therefore, it is important to study and investigate the impacts of CC on the mining sector. This paper aims to study the challenges and strategies for adapting and mitigating CC impacts on mining using a systematic literature review (SLR). These results showed that most of the proposed models and strategies in the mining field are in the conceptual phase, and fewer are practical models