Environmental and Social Governance - 2025 entry

This module will provides you with a comprehensive and practical understanding of the range of impacts that mining may have on society and the environment. It covers the vital industry issues of corporate social responsibility, social license to operate, stakeholder engagement, and political & environmental factors that affect mining decisions. The module explores how environmental impact is measured, monitored and controlled, and what sustainability means in the context of mining. It also explores international and local mining legislation, expectations of local people in mining regions, and the long and short term impacts of mining on a local and national scale with a particular focus on the social, economic and environmental impacts of mine closure. 
  

In addition to lectures and case studies, the participants will also be asked to discuss and explore solutions to challenges faced by the industry in different parts of the world.

Mines can only be developed where the mineral deposits occur, and this means that large scale infrastructure development and mining activities are established in widely differing countries, cultures, and environments. This module will focus on how mining operations, their activities and people, affect those around it, particularly within the growing agenda of resource nationalism and the environmental impact and legacy of mining. A sustainable mining operation needs to earn and maintain its social licence to operate. You will gain a broad understanding of mining legislation, sustainability, environmental, social and economic impacts, stakeholder engagement, CSR initiatives and particularly the challenges caused by mine closure. 
 
On successful completion of this module you should be familiar with these Knowledge and Skills as specified in the Mine Management Apprenticeship Standard (ST1309): 

K1: The mining life cycle including the key regulations, standards and guidance that influence the design, construction and operations and closure of mining operations.

K11: How to design the operation to extract the reserves in a legislatively compliant, economic, ecological and socially acceptable manner.

K13: The principles of major hazard control, and the impact that preventative and mitigating control failure had have on elevating the propensity for mine disasters.

K15: The factors controlling the planning and deployment of automated and digital technologies in mine environments to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and safety.

K18: The mine environment and the impact that it has on operational performance, safety, and long-term health of employees.

K19: The principles of mine closure and legacy risk management.

K20: The impact of a mining operation through its life cycle using the principles of asset integrity, environmental and social impact assessment methodologies and the application of current industry best practice to support an environmentally robust and sustainable operation.

S10: Identify the statutory and company requirements for monitoring and maintaining records and plans and complete a suitable audit and evaluation to ensure compliance.

S13: Communicate with colleagues, stakeholders and other interested parties using a range of different methods and techniques, challenging, influencing, and negotiating where appropriate.

S14: Build teams, empower, mentor, coach, motivate and delegate to others, providing clear guidance and ensuring inclusivity.

S15: Developing others; taking account of diversity, equality and inclusivity.

S16: Work collaboratively with all stakeholders, including regulators (Health and Safety Executive), customers, suppliers, and trade unions.

S17: Manage and lead others including conflict management.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

The module is divided up into units (topics).

1. Introduction to Sustainable Development, Politics and Sustainable Mining. This introductory unit provides an overview into the complex stakeholder relationships and the international environment in which mining companies operate. Participants will get the opportunity to learn about mining in a broader context; it's importance to economic trade and development of resource rich jurisdictions, the reliance of society on mining to meet our needs for minerals as a global community, and how this fits with the UN sustainable development goals.
2. Environmental and social impacts of mining. Mining as an industry is not a sustainable activity, it changes land use (temporarily) and impacts the environment (water, air, soil), the social fabric and local and traditional industries. We will explore these impacts and how mining companies can mitigate them.
3. Economic impacts of mining (downstream and side stream investments/activities). The mining industry requires the support of other industries (technical, research, HR, training etc.). Participants will explore how governments and local people can work with mining companies to maximise the benefits of mining and create sustainable industries that will last long after mining has stopped.
4. Corporate social responsibility and the social license to operate (SLO). The increasing importance of SLO and how companies gain and maintain social acceptance to operate both at a local, regional and international level.
5. International best practice in mining (CSR, SLO): exploring a range of case studies to highlight best practice in different jurisdictions and for different operators.  
6. Artisanal and small scale miners  (ASM). The majority of the mining workforce globally are ASM. We will explore what this means and how NGOs and international mining companies can work along side ASM to improve conditions and address challenges around safety, environmental management and access to international markets.
7. Mine closure and remediation: Participants will explore the social, economic and environemtal impacts of mine closure, and how the industry manages this process. We will also explore case studies looking at examples from different jurisdiction.

All passed components of the module will be rolled forward and will not be reassessed in the event of module failure.

Basic reading:

• An up to date reading list is available on the ELE page.

Reading list for this module: