Seven Drivers of Change

(by Alicia Aleman)

According to a report on the future of the mining sector by the World Economic Forum, these are the 7 drivers of change which will shape the future of the metals and mining industry by 2050:

Higher demands for fairness

Greater expectations among the broader stakeholder community, including governments, communities and indigenous people, for a more equitable distribution of the benefits, costs and risks related to mining and metals activities

Increased democratization 

Regulation, decision-making, access to information and capacity becoming more representative

Growing concern for the environment 

Increased focus on the protection and sustainable management of water, biodiversity and the climate

Abrupt generational change 

New ideas and values shaping the leadership profile in the sector, government and civil society

Intensified rate of technological change 

New, more sophisticated technologies and innovations transforming mining and metals processes and operations

Geographical shift 

Mining operations increasingly in remote, undeveloped regions

Rising concerns related to artisanal mining

The social and environmental challenges associated with ASM become priority issues

Click here if you want to read the report.

In the Justice in Mining Network we are discussing how these changes may shape the lives of the most vulnerable peoples and communities, and our Mother Earth. Will the higher demand for fairness lead to more equitable deals between companies, governments and communities? Will access to accurate and pertinent information become a reality? Is deep-sea mining or asteroid mining ethical or even safe?  How to ensure that human rights are respected everywhere and for everybody?