RESUMEN

This research proposes an internal organizational framework that explains why firms implement corporate social responsibility (CSR). Based on the perspective of managers in the mining sector of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), wellbeing of employees and cost reduction were identified as internal driving factors of CSR. This study was carried out on a sample of 103 mining, using a structural equation through LISREL. The findings of the study reveal; first, that firms' pursuit of cost reduction positively influences the implementation of CSR; second, firms are driven by CSR in order to ensure the wellbeing of their employees, fostered by compliance with labor standards in the mining sector. Therefore, CSR compliance was included as a mediating variable. Lastly, the lack of resources remains a barrier to CSR implementation. This research adds to the growing body of literature on CSR antecedents by demonstrating that in the Congolese mining sector, CSR implementation is linked to the wellbeing of employees as well as compliance to labor standards and regulations, cost reduction, and financial resources as well as human resources. This research responds to deficiency in novelty and lack of academic studies on drivers of CSR in the mining sector in Sub-Saharan regions.

RESUMEN

Mining companies use environmental sustainability reporting to inform their stakeholders about their position in relation to environmental sustainability. This paper explores how these companies include topics related to the environment and its protection in their annual reports. The 100 largest mining companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) were included in the research sample, using market capitalisation as the size indicator. The investigation was performed by means of quantitative and qualitative content analysis of annual reports to identify relevant keyword occurrences. Results revealed that topics related to protection of the environment, emissions, carbon footprint, and climate change are addressed in companies' annual reports. In line with research in other industries, this study confirmed that the intensity of communication about these topics varies with company size. A new methodology was developed to assess the extent to which mining companies inform the stakeholders about their environmental protection initiatives and to address the limited applicability of the GRI G3 disclosure checklist for sustainability reporting, thereby enhancing the theory of social licence to operate.

RESUMEN

The rising automation level and development of the Industry 4.0 concept in the mining sector increase the risk of cyber-attacks. As a result, this article focuses on developing a risk analysis method that integrates Kaplan's and Garrick's approach and fuzzy theory. The proposed approach takes into account the level of automation of the operating mining processes. Moreover, it follows five main steps, including identifying the automation level in a selected mine, definition of cyber-attack targets, identification of cyber-attack techniques, definition of cyber-attack consequences, and risk ratio assessment. The proposed risk assessment procedure was performed according to three cyber-attack targets (databases, internal networks, machinery) and seven selected types of cyber-attack techniques. The fuzzy theory is implemented in risk parameter estimation for cyber-attack scenario occurrence in the mining industry. To illustrate the given method's applicability, seven scenarios for three levels of mine automation are analyzed. The proposed method may be used to reveal the current cybersecurity status of the mine. Moreover, it will be a valuable guide for mines in which automation is planned in the near future.

RESUMEN

Natural resource extraction projects, including those in the mining sector, have various effects on human health and wellbeing, with communities in resource-rich areas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) being particularly vulnerable. While impact assessments (IA) can predict and mitigate negative effects, it is unclear whether and to what extent health aspects are included in current IA practice in SSA. For collecting IA reports, we contacted 569 mining projects and 35 ministries regulating the mining sector. The reports obtained were complemented by reports identified in prior research. The examination of the final sample of 44 IA reports revealed a heavy focus on environmental health determinants and included health outcomes were often limited to a few aspects, such as HIV, malaria and injuries. The miniscule yield of reports (1.6% of contacted projects) and the low response rate by the contacted mining companies (18%) might indicate a lack of transparency in the IA process of the mining sector in SSA. To address the shortcomings identified, policies regulating IA practice should strengthen the requirements for public disclosure of IA reports and promote a more comprehensive inclusion of health in IA, be it through stand-alone health impact assessment or more rigorous integration of health in other forms of IA.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Many organizations in Europe collect data and perform research on municipal solid waste and the secondary raw materials that can be produced from them through recycling, urban mining, or landfill mining. However, the information generated and presented thereby is often highly aggregated, while research activities are many a time isolated. Both reduce the usability of the data and information generated. In order to better structure the knowledge generation on secondary raw materials production from municipal solid waste, we suggest to learn from the traditional raw materials mining industry how to perform an integrated assessment and reporting of anthropogenic resources. This is exemplarily shown for the case of the anthropogenic resource municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash and air-pollution control residues. A network of expert institutions from countries throughout Europe was build up to compile the information on legal and technological aspects for the recovery of different secondary raw materials from these residues, including construction minerals, metals, and salts. We highlight in our article the strength of the combined knowledge of an expert network not only on legal and technological, but also local and site-specific aspects of the recovery of secondary raw materials. By doing so, we hope to kick-off a discussion for how to organize and implement a structure for a better management of knowledge on anthropogenic resources, in order to provide a sustainable supply of secondary raw materials for a greener and more circular economy.

Asunto(s)