Better mining corporations are adopting “Responsible Mining Solutions”. Mining even if it is small scale has a major impact on the environment, but if done on a good scale it also represents a valuable opportunity that benefits the national economy and local communities. Most companies have developed the mines on the basis of territorial planning or land use assessment, that is the main reason why most projects are being developed in the vicinity of forest ecosystems, biological corridors and habitats. Though if the companies use small- scale mining it does not have much impact or produces a large or significant impact as large-scale mining. However, it does have an important potential to contribute to the conversation of ecological functions in the mining surroundings and avoid cumulative environmental impacts.
As per mining is concerned, it involves a lot of boom and bust. That is, there may be great wealth when a new mineral deposit is discovered, but as our global economy is fueled by natural resources extracted from the earth but removing them is followed by erosion, pollution, deforestation and species loss. Moreover, communities living there suffer from great poverty when the minerals are gone. However, when the development encroaches on the pristine areas, it is essential for the mining companies to look for ways that work in harmony with nature and the ways in which they are less destructive to workers and communities.
Why is developing responsible mining solutions important?
It is more important than ever, for two reasons. First, as mentioned mining can be damaging to the communities living in that region and the ecosystems worldwide. Industrial mines present both opportunities and risks to local residents, governments and the environment. If there are relative to people living, a mine here or there can seem to be acceptable. But the world has now shifted and it has become more vulnerable and excessively crowded. Moreover, already with the industrial activities and now mining has released enough carbon into the atmosphere to damage the climate and destroy the space of people living there. So it is very important for the economy to back down to an earlier and safer state of environmental resilience and actively help in reducing damage as well as improve prevention.
Why should companies follow responsible mining?
When companies start operating in a responsible manner they see drastic results in the profits they earn. The benefits of mining in a socially responsible manner while following all the necessary solutions include reduced labour shortages, with no conflicts with the surrounding communities and with fewer impacts than irresponsible mining. Rather companies have started investing in local education and skill training, proving employment in the community they are mining in with more consistent production as a result of a healthier workforce and less likelihood of conflict by building better relationships with the local communities.
Clearly, when mining is done in a well-planned manner it can provide significant local employment, economic opportunity and government revenue. But because minerals are public assets, the decisions about their exploitation must be transparent.
Responsible mining is relatively a new concept because of this reason it is taking time for companies to understand it. Even companies with high standards are under great pressure to deliver the best results.
For instance, when it comes to health and safety, everybody expects ‘zero harm’ from most of the mining companies and certainly for all miners working in public listings as well as the private ones. Followed by this example, though companies have not yet achieved zero harm but have reduced a lot in terms of injuries and fatalities and taking actions for all the health and safety standards, practices and training.