Thoughts on how the Mining Industry is taking the Awaited Social Turn

摘要

The activities of an entire mine life cycle, from exploration through post-closure conditions,inevitably result in major changes to both the land and people concerned. The operating life of amine tends to be relatively short compare to environmental and socio-community changes thatcan persist for a much longer period. The environmental facet is now fully integrated within themining corporation management plan; what about the social facet? In 1998, the U.S. NationalMining Association thought the success of the mining industry of the twenty-first century wouldbegin with its relationship with the public. Eleven years later, is it possible to identify establishedoutcomes of corporate social concern? From exploration to mine closure and post-closure, thispaper outlines the evolution of international standards, legislation and industry behaviour of someproducing countries, compares the performance of a selection of Canadian major andintermediate mining producers and developers, and seeks to identify triggers for good socialbehaviour from mining corporations.