Business has now no choice but to carry out clean operations due to environmental regulations and need for license. I have written a research paper linking clean technology with productivity and quality not to mention improved health and motivation of workers. Here are points that come to my mind regarding your query:

Benefits of Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) in Mining

Cost Reduction: Lower energy, water, and waste disposal costs.

Operational Efficiency: Improved material recovery and process optimization.

Regulatory Compliance: Avoid penalties and meet environmental standards.

Market Competitiveness: Access to premium markets and green financing.

Social License to Operate: Better community and stakeholder relations.

Risk Management: Reduced liability from environmental damage and mine closure costs.

Workforce Retention: Attract and retain talent with sustainable practices.

Supply Chain Security: Reduced dependence on scarce raw materials.

Carbon Footprint Reduction: Alignment with global climate goals and future carbon taxation.

New Revenue Streams: Recycling and reprocessing of waste materials.

Necessity of RECP in Mining

Stringent Environmental Regulations: Compliance with laws on emissions, tailings, and resource use.

Rising Energy and Resource Costs: Need for efficiency to remain profitable.

ESG and Investor Expectations: Growing pressure for sustainable mining operations.

Global Sustainability Goals: Alignment with circular economy and climate commitments.

Community and Social Responsibility: Essential for maintaining operational legitimacy and public trust.

Akudugu Boniface

The business value of the mining industry for implementing resource efficiency and cleaner production is reflected in several key aspects:

By investing in resource efficiency and cleaner production, the mining industry not only improves its operations but also contributes to global sustainable development goals.

There are multiple reasons why there is business value to the mining industry in implementing resource efficiency and cleaner production.

Lets start with cleaner production. In many parts of the world lax regulations result in poor standards of health and safety. If Poor standards arise in contexts where capital investment is high the cause is often poor maintenance. This raises costs of production. Where capital investment is low, health and safety standards also tend to be low. Mine owners have a choice. Keep investment low, ignore the human cost and bear the cost of low yield or make investment and then invest in training. The more skilled operatives are, in using capital equipment, the longer its productive life, and the more difficult it is to replace skilled operators in the event of avoidable accidents.

Colleagues have already commented on the need for compliance to mandatory regulations. This pressure is likely to increase. Other considerations are issues like brand damage. Civil Society globally is becoming more active. This means that Miners that pursue profit maximisation regardless of the social consequences may get away with it for some time but increasingly, mining activity is coming under scrutiny and with that scrutiny comes with the possibility of class actions. Successful class actions result in direct costs to the miner and the brand damage can impact future investor behaviour adversely. Raising capital for mining projects is challenging because of risk. Good investor relations, therefore, is key. Companies that are able to boast about an exceptional health and safety record and good perfomance in terms of the ROI on capital investment are seen as better risks, other things like assay result being equal.

Finally, as has already been suggested, implementing resource efficiency and cleaner production reduces operating costs. Investors are interested in yields per ton. In general, higher yields correlate with higher rates of capital investment. In short, we are looking at a virtuous circle argument.

Implementing resource efficiency and cleaner production in the mining industry not only enhances sustainability but also offers significant economic benefits through cost savings, improved productivity, and enhanced market competitiveness (Cost Savings and Productivity Gains; Environmental Compliance and Risk Reduction; Enhanced Sustainability and Reputation; Innovation and Technological Advancements and Market Opportunities and Competitive Advantage)

Implementing resource efficiency and cleaner production in the mining industry reduces operational costs, minimizes environmental impact, ensures regulatory compliance, enhances corporate reputation, and improves long-term sustainability, ultimately boosting profitability and stakeholder trust.

Implementing resource efficiency and cleaner production in the mining industry can reduce costs, minimize waste, improve environmental compliance, and enhance sustainability. It also boosts the company’s reputation, attracts eco-conscious investors, and can lead to long-term profitability by optimizing resource use and reducing operational risks.