Speaker: Dr R. Anthony Hodge - Former President of the International Council on Mining and Metals, currently at the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada.

Abstract: Through the last 30 years, much effort has been put to improving social and environmental performance in the mining industry.  Motivation has come from across society as the nature and significance of implications have been recognized and related concerns increasingly articulated.   A trust gap ebbs and flows – but never disappears.   If anything, recent events have widened the gap. 

And yet, this comes at a time when mined materials are needed as never before – to nourish the transition to a low carbon economy, contribute in a myriad of ways to poverty and inequality alleviation, and to do so in a way that is based on respect and care for people and the ecosystem that is our home.  In short, to make it possible to walk more lightly on this earth that is our home.

Dr. Hodge will examine the nature and pace of mining’s environmental and social performance improvement over the past three decades.  He will argue that improvement has not kept up with the evolving expectations of society and until mining’s action and society’s expectations are synchronized, the trust gap will remain.  He will examine the nature of the industry, describe the roles that different players play and examine the fundamental question of what is needed to address this discordance – the biggest sustainability challenge facing the industry.

About SMI Webinar Series 2021

The Sustainable Minerals Institute Webinar Series returns in 2021 to showcase exciting research underway in SMI. From mineral processing to social performance to health and safety - join us on the first Tuesday of every month for the presentation followed by a Q&A with the presenter. Hear from our current researchers, alumni, and research colleagues on a broad range of topics that aim to ensure sustainability for the future.