Sustainable management of mining operations / Устойчивое управление горнодобывающими предприятиями

The use of mineral resources has been fundamental to human activity: from housing to household goods, from industrial equipment to energy, and from high technology to space exploration, mining has provided the basics of life to the human race. The mining industry produces energy, metals, and minerals that are essential to economic prosperity and a better quality of life. As important as these benefits are, mining activity produces social and environmental impacts on communities, and requires a more responsible mining practice—it requires sustainable mine management.
Today, mining faces unparalleled challenges brought by globalization and increased social and environmental awareness. Many mining companies have acknowledged the challenge and have stated their commitment to the values of sustainability. However, the public perception of the environmental and social performance of the minerals industry remains poor. Furthermore, significant driving forces are acting on the market, whereby corporate performance in sustainable development issues is becoming increasingly related to measurable economic returns and increased value to shareholders. A better reputation is becoming a competitive advantage through improved control of business risks and increased business opportunities. In this context, mining managers are expected not only to comply with but also to lead in the development of increasingly demanding corporate policies and regulations for environmental control, safety, and social responsibility.

This book characterizes the concept of sustainable management as the management approach that integrates sustainability throughout the organization of the company. Each section of the book focuses on sustainable management from a different perspective, management level, or stage of the mine life cycle. <...>