Sustainable mining

Sustainability across the mining life cycle
Australia’s mining companies recognise the need to manage their mining and mineral projects in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. To do this, they have developed a range of initiatives and protocols that cover all stages of the mining process, from initial exploration to mine rehabilitation and closure. These initiatives are further supported and enhanced by the Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program in Mining initiative, which was launched in 2006 by the Australian Government and the mining industry. The program established best-practice procedures that encompass all stages of the mining process and the key issues which affect sustainable mining. Australian expertise in mining sustainability and social responsibility covers a number of areas across the typical mining project cycle.