Drivers of sustainability practices and contributions to sustainable development evident in sustainability reports of European mining companies

Abstract

Mining activities cause negative environmental impacts and social conflicts but also provide economic benefits to communities and secure the minerals necessary for low-carbon technology. The aim of this multiple case study is to analyze, compare and critically evaluate sustainability reports of 10 European mining companies for the 2016–2018 period to determine the drivers for implementation of sustainability practices and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings suggest that European mining companies act under pressures from international initiatives and industry associations, the European Union, governments, stakeholders, and maintaining social license to operate. The companies report on the core subjects of corporate governance, employees, the environment, stakeholders’ engagement and occupational health and safety. Positive trends were observed in stakeholders’ engagement and health and safety, while air emissions and water and energy usage increased for most companies. Furthermore, there was an absence of improvement in gender diversity, utilization of renewable energy, and waste recycling. Even though all analyzed companies mentioned SDGs in the reports, the reports lacked a comprehensive explanation of mining activities’ contribution to the SDGs. This study addresses a gap in the existing literature on the European mining context of sustainable development and SDGs relevant for researchers, policymakers, and other impacted stakeholders and adds new theoretical knowledge on the external drivers of CSR activities based on institutional theory.

Current trends in addressing environmental and social risks in mining and mineral supply chains by regulatory and voluntary approaches

“…When it comes to moving beyond risk management and inducing local development the possible limitations of sustainability initiatives become evident (Stark and Levin 2011;Hilson et al 2016). Similarly, although the Sustainable Development Goals are today widely taken up in company reporting, policies and government frameworks, there may still be a need to turn the risk mitigation agenda into a more development-oriented agenda (Ivic et al 2021). In line with this notion, there is frequently a gap between comprehensive sustainability reporting and local implementation efforts (RMF 2020).…”

“…Risk-based approaches are appropriate to address expectations by regulators and investors as well as downstream companies in general, but may be insufficient to meet local expectations. Therefore, mining companies should strive to go beyond risk management (Stark and Levin 2011;Frederiksen 2018;Ivic et al 2021). Also, to contribute to positive long-term development a life-cycle perspective of the mine, including post-closure development, appears necessary (Stark and Levin 2011;.…”

“…The development of these initiatives reflects and anticipates further public and regulatory pressure on the backdrop of the sustainability challenges that the mining sector is facing. At the same time, they reflect industry selfregulation based on the measures that an increasing number of companies have taken to tackle social and environmental risks associated with their operations and along their supply chains (Ivic et al 2021). Sustainability issues in mining are therefore increasingly incorporated into integrated sustainable supply chain management where a responsible sourcing approach links up-and downstream supply chains (e.g., Young 2015).…”

Modeling of Bauxite Ore Wet Milling for the Improvement of Process and Energy Efficiency

“…The United Nation's Sustainability Development Goal, SDG12, aims to reduce the consumption of virgin raw material resources, increase the re-use and recycling rates, and develop circular economic solutions. SDG12 encourages more sustainable consumption and production patterns through specific measures in various industrial sectors, including the wider mining and metallurgical industry [1][2][3].…”

Sostenibilidad ambiental en la minería de materiales aluviales: el caso de Rio Negro, Dibulla, Colombia

“…Sin embargo, al mismo tiempo, el sector es predominantemente informal y está asociado con una variedad de desafíos sociales y ambientales persistentes, que incluyen pobreza extrema, deforestación, degradación de la tierra, contaminación ambiental y sedimentación de ríos (Hirons, 2020). Debido a estos impactos negativos, la industria minera ha estado bajo presión y ha comenzado a desarrollar estrategias para abordar las preocupaciones sobre los impactos sociales y ambientales de sus operaciones mineras (Ivic et al, 2021). Estas estrategias van dirigidas a promover en la dimensión ambiental, la utilización de los recursos de manera eficiente, limitar el consumo de recursos, reducir las emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero (GEI), implementar recursos de energía renovable y reutilizar los residuos (Neto et al, 2018), y para la dimensión social, incluir factores sociales positivos como oportunidades de empleo, buenas condiciones laborales, oportunidades de aprendizaje e igualdad de género (Segerstedt y Abrahamsson, 2019).…”