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Scientific Article details

Title Uncharted risk measures for the management of sustainable mining
ID_Doc 13818
Authors Watts, BA; Zago, VCP; Gopakumar, L; Ghazaryan, K; Movsesyan, H
Title Uncharted risk measures for the management of sustainable mining
Year 2023
Published Integrated Environmental Assessment And Management, 19, 4
DOI 10.1002/ieam.4769
Abstract Governments commit to ensuring the welfare of their citizens by drafting and enforcing regulations that ultimately ensure the sustainability of mining. This study contributes to improving the sustainability of mining throughout the mine's lifecycle until the final destination of the mining products. We propose recommendations that address the sustainability of mining from a global perspective, framed around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), following waste hierarchy with Common Agricultural Policies, and policies from the Green Deal on climate, energy, transport, and taxation. Tailings are the most significant source of environmental impact in mining operations and, therefore, must comply with controlling regulations through Tailings Management Facilities (TMFs). However, there have been several mining accidents involving TMFs worldwide. The recommendations begin during planning, preconstruction, and construction with practices such as fair consultations, tax revenue fairness, and mandatory insurance. The operation and management support parallel industries to mining and supporting health and education. Emergency planning involves the surrounding communities in mock drills and environmental monitoring. In the closure and rehabilitation, remediation technologies such as phytoremediation, carbon sequestration incentives, and biomass valorization are recommended. Finally, supporting a circular economy by prioritizing ethical consumption, resource reduction, material recovery, and replacing toxic minerals and materials from the start with "benign by design" is recommended. The strategies involve stakeholders directly or indirectly related to the mining companies' contamination and demonstrate a commitment to the SDGs, offering a holistic perspective on scientific, social, and regulatory issues. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;00:1-12. (c) 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Author Keywords Biomass valorization; Community involvement; Mining; Risk management; Tailing Mining Facilities
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000969327400001
WoS Category Environmental Sciences; Toxicology
Research Area Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Toxicology
PDF https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4769
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