Sustainability assessment of Las Bambas copper mine: Reviewing disclosures

Abstract

Mining plays a significant role in social development, contributing directly or indirectly to almost all aspects of modern life and economic sectors. However, while mining generates significant economic benefits, it often creates environmental and social challenges. This study focuses on the Las Bambas copper mine in Peru, one of the largest open-pit mines in South America and a focal point of socio-environmental conflict. Using a longitudinal dataset of sustainability reports published between 2014 and 2023, the study develops and applies a four-step content analysis framework that integrates the ICMM principles, GRI standards, SDGs, and stakeholder concerns. This framework enables a systematic evaluation of the scope, consistency, and depth of reporting across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The analysis highlights both achievements and reporting gaps, showing how sustainability disclosures can simultaneously clarify and obscure mining impacts. The Las Bambas case demonstrates the value of critical application of a framework for assessing corporate sustainability practices and provides insights applicable to other extractive industries where the credibility of reporting remains contested.