The sustainable development of minerals, whick are non-renewableresources, is a major challenge in today's world. In this regardthe true definition of sustainability' is a debating point itself:can such a concept exist with respect to non-renewable resources?Perhaps the ideal sustainability model is one that minimizesnegative environmental impact and maximizes benefits to society,the economy and regional/national development. Developed andnear-developed economies rely for commodity supplies on developingcountries where major mining operations are often a mainstayof the domestic economy. Limited environmental regulation andlow wages lead to charges of exploitation. also, large numbersof people have no alternative to living ny informal, often dangerous,'artisanal' mining. This Special Publication gives examplesfrom developing countries at all scales of mineral extraction.The volume reviews environmental, economic, health and socialproblems and highlights the need to solve these before sustainabilitycan be achieved. The better solutions require mutual understanding,through full involvement of all stakeholders, education, trainingand investment so that small-scale ansd artisinal mines cangrow into well-managed operations. At larger scales, most majorinterantional mining companies have now inoproved their practicesand are monitoring their [rogress, although there is no roomfor complacency in this rapidly changing are.
