PrintLesson 9.2 You are In-Charge
Yes, it is true. You as a mining professional, along with your colleagues, and the companies that constitute the mining industry are more in control of your destiny than many like to admit. Moreover, the industry and its actions, or in some cases lack of action, have contributed to the current poor state-of-affairs for mining throughout the world. For too long, and in too many corners of the globe, mining companies, often with the blessing of local governments, have conducted their business without due regard to societal expectations; and now everyone is paying a price! And, it’s time for that to change! Okay, that felt good... now let me step down from my soapbox.
First of all, it is changing, and positive change is being advanced by leaders in the global mining community with the guidance of their professional and trade associations. However, lasting change, and the leaders of this movement all agree, will only be achieved through the sustained actions of the next generation of mining professionals. Why is this? Unlike your predecessors, you are being equipped with a new set of tools that will allow you to take more informed actions that will pave the way to a more sustainable industry. You see, the work that needs to be done is on an on-going basis, not once and done; further, it cannot be done by only certain designated persons within each operation. Rather everyone has to do their part, every day, and a goal of this lesson is to outline what that means for you.
I’ve chosen to group those actions into three categories, and I list them in no particular order: mining practices; community relations; and safety, health, and environment. And, before proceeding, I should clarify a few points. As with previous lists, the examples that I give here are representative but are by no means exhaustive. The focus of this discussion is on facilitating sustainability and not on traditional mine design and operation – here we are looking for ways to supplement and complement traditional design and operation to become more sustainable. In other words, what is it that we should we be doing in mine planning, design, and operation so that our mining is conducted in harmony with societal expectations?