Criteria-driven socio-environmental maturity modelling for mining: driving positive sustainability attitudes and perceptions at diverse operational scales

Abstract

We research whether real-terms change can be created by considering the socio-environmental impacts of mining from a position of care, such as that already demonstrated in safety culture. Socio-environmental culture, the prevailing attitudes and perceptions towards risk, is used to emphasise the reciprocal interdependencies between environment and people. Social and environmental maturity models were formulated for risks in formalised, regulated mining and mining practitioners self-scrutinised their performance against the 4 levels of culture maturity in the models. Self-assessment studies revealed that sites performed best in local employment and stakeholder relationships but fell short in post-closure planning and emergency preparedness. Bowtie analysis was utilised to further validate the models in the context of hypothetical end-member scenarios of immature and mature companies managing tailings permits. We discuss how this self-assessment can facilitate dialogue and highlight assumptions in a company's cultural development, and we debate what constitutes sustainable, customary philanthropy principles.