Abstract
Can mining be sustainable? Given the recognition of the importance of sustainability in mineral industry and linking it to supply chain activities, the challenges to achieve the goals of United Nations (UN) Sustainable Developments Goals (SDG), corporate sustainability approaches and governance mechanism needs in sustainable supply chain management need to be explored. Although the importance of achieving improved sustainability in both the supply chain and mining industry have been recognised, they have mostly been studied separately. Using semi structured interviews, the research identified common issues faced pertaining to the environment, economic and social sustainability. Furthermore, strategies and areas that can possibly improve or decrease the issues faced, were investigated. Issues in the mining supply chain sustainability have not been comprehensively studied to date. This study contributes to the research within sustainable supply chains in the Australian mining industry with a focus on the issues encountered and their mitigating strategies. There are three focus areas. Firstly, this study aims to explore what sustainable issues are commonly faced in the industry. Secondly, to gain an understanding of what tactics are used to contest the issues identified. Lastly, forming part of the mitigating methods, the influence of senior management in the sustainability status of a company is explored.
This paper contributes to the research within sustainable supply chains in the Australian mining industry with a focus on the issues encountered and their mitigating strategies This exploratory research contributes a more comprehensive supply chain issues encountered in the Australian Mining industry. To address the exploratory nature of the research questions, qualitative research techniques were utilized. The aim of the research is to gain an understanding of sustainability topics rather than an analysis of numbers. This is done through asking open ended questions during semi-structured interviews.
The issues identified were largely influencing the social and environmental aspects with few economic issues. Adding to the current literature that identifies Risk Management, Transparency, Strategy and Culture as supporting facets to sustainability, Education and Benchmarking were also revealed during the interviews to have a significant impact on sustainability. Furthermore, the influential role senior management has on the strategy formulation and facilitation of sustainable development was also realised.
The study acts as introductory report that can be used by academics and individuals operational in the industry to guide their research, strategy formulation, issue anticipation and response.