The Brundtland Commission's (1986) vision of sustainable development is to meet the needs of the present generation without undermining the capacity of future generations to meet their needs. Since the concept was established, many people have tried to come up with a short, clear definition of “sustainable development”, which does justice to everyone’s views, encompasses social complexity and incorporates the insights of science. A very useful and important way to look at sustainable development is as a process. This process involves the economic, social, cultural and environmental dimensions of human existence.
While mining by its nature, extracts resources from the land, it can be carried out in a more sustainable manner by making sure that the removal of the resource is carefully managed. Most mining projects involve a short-term use of the land and extraction of the underlying resources for the purpose of development. In light of recent technological developments, this means that in most cases there is no reason for a mining operation to
leave unmitigated impacts on the environment. If it does, it means that the project has not been properly managed.
Building human and social capital by reinvesting the interest from the revenues generated by a mining enterprise is very different from the old “company town” approach, where mining companies provided the physical infrastructure for communities surrounding the mine site. Taking the time and resources to gain a good understanding of the local situation can pay off in the long term, though it does not guarantee success. Where governments and mining companies are indifferent to human and social capital, or where they actively undermine existing social structures and bonds, a mining project can create extensive and long-term damage. One example is the behaviour of many mining companies towards small-scale miners. The general view is that they are a “nuisance” and should be expelled from the mining lease. However, some companies tolerate their presence while others work with them to form legal associations that apply sound environmental health and safety standards to the benefit of all involved.
In addition to Environmental Impact Assessment (E!A) (see Section 6.3), governments and mining companies now carry out a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) (see Section 6.4), which acknowledges the legitimacy of all stakeholder perspectives. Some companies have already established “community policies” which commit them to developing a relationship of mutual understanding and respect with the local people. Socio-Economic Impact Assessment is a method of including all interested parties in the design and implementation of a project.
If sustainable development is defined as the integration of social, economic and environmental considerations, then a mining project that is developed, operated and closed in an environmentally and socially acceptable manner could be seen as contributing to sustainable development. Critical to this goal is ensuring that benefits of the project are employed to develop the region in a way that will survive long after the mine is closed.