Future Transitions in the Mining Industry: Challenges, Controversies and Responses

This volume focuses on mining and the challenges for this industry as it transitions and evolves as the demand for products and responsible and sustainable mining ever increases. Mining is a prerequisite for modern society, yet the industry is often criticized for having many negative environmental and social impacts. The volume explores the challenges, controversies and responses that arise when a society is reliant on the products of mining to maintain their standard of living, yet are simultaneously calling for the implementation of sustainable practices, with many communities also being resistant to mining activities taking place in their own location. Many transitions which present a solution to one problem can often lead to new issues and developments elsewhere. For example, the electrification of vehicles will help to mitigate climate change, but this will simultaneously increase the demand for minerals required for batteries. The acceptance of, or resistance to, mining varies from location to location and across different scales, with key factors relating to the social and environmental impacts and the economic benefits. One common tension revolves around whether local communities really benefit economically from mining activities, and even if they do, they could now be negatively impacted by the digitization of the industry which will naturally lead to a reduction in the number of jobs. This volume explains how transitions of these types are inextricably linked by demand, acceptance and the perception of benefits, and that as the industry evolves, more tensions and controversies will develop. This book will be of great interest to scholars and students of mining and the extractive industries, transitions and sustainable development, as well as to professionals working in natural resource management.