Approaches to reducing negative environmental and social impacts in the production of metal raw materials / by Lukas Rüttinger, Christine Scholl (adelphi, Berlin) ; on behalf of the German Environment Agency ; study performed: adelphi research gGmbH ; edited by: Section III 2.2 Resource Conservation, Material Cycles, Minerals and Metal Industry Jan Kosmol

Abstract

The first stage of the project involved analysing and documenting the impacts of raw material production on the environment, society and the economy, using 13 case studies on the metals gold, copper, aluminium, rare earth elements and tin. The goal of the case studies was to gain a better understanding of the connections between the environmental and social impacts of producing different metals in the context of various countries with various problems. Particularly relevant and representative cases (mines, countries) were selected according to a set of criteria in order to cover the broadest and most balanced spectrum possible of potential negative environmental and social impacts as well as a range of governance contexts. This provided a basis for analysing 42 standards and approaches - either existing or under development - which aim to improve the environmental and social conditions in the mining sector. The goal of this analysis was to assess the impact of standards, to pinpoint specific strengths and weaknesses and to identify lessons learned and best practices. These findings were used to develop specific policy recommendations to improve environmental and social standards.