Looking Ahead - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 849

FIGURE 22.4
The Need for Balanced Consideration of all
Three Spheres of Sustainability

Economic
Sphere

There is a need in the environmental assess-
ment process to shift from the traditional
focus on the physical-chemical and, more
recently, from the socio-cultural, to include
a balanced analysis of the economic impacts
of a new mine.

Social and
Economic
Inclusion

Sustainable
Growth

Atmosphere

Social
Sphere

Ecological
Sphere

Quality
of
Life

Lithosphere

Hydrosphere

Biosphere

For a new mining development, rather than considering only the economic effects of the
project, it is preferable to consider the project as one element of a broadly dei ned, integrated
regional development plan ( Figures 22.5 and 22.12 ) (Humphreys 2000, on which the follow-
ing section is based). In this context, the objective becomes to develop mining in conjunction
with other economic activities, such as training centres, transportation hubs, supporting indus-
tries, manufacturing, forestry and tourism, to complement the mining development. The min-
ing would be an essential element in unlocking the region's potential and providing signii cant
injections of capital to initiate development activities. Other sectors would provide support dur-
ing mine operations, and continue as the basis for sustained development after mining ceases.
The interactions of mining operations and the local economies in which they are located
are often incompletely understood. Also, there have been relatively few well-documented case
studies on this subject, and there are few other industrial sectors which can provide useful les-
sons ( Case 22.5 ). Rigorous regional economic analysis and planning requires detailed informa-
tion on the l ow of goods and services between the various economic sectors. Such information
is rarely readily available; neither can it be assumed that the local government capacity
exists (in term of human resources as well as funding) to develop such information. This
is perhaps an area where international agencies could assist. It is also reasonable to imagine
that the mine developer assists the local government in establishing an integrated regional
development plan. The mining industry is not short of relevant ideas and has a growing
experience of dealing with regional development. However, the design of new mechanisms
to promote the economic sustainability of mining by companies and regional authorities alike,
would undoubtedly require new company outlooks and improved government policies.

For a new mining development,
rather than considering only the
economic effects of the project,
it is preferable to consider the
project as one element plan.

Looking Beyond the Fence

The cumulative effect of environmental disasters and adverse social impacts of mining and
other industrial developments of the last century, has resulted in an international awareness
of environmental issues, and acknowledgement of the fact that even local developments can