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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

There is an expectation that the private sector can and should play a significant role in promoting and supporting the delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This SDG calls for the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, along with a large-scale reduction in waste through prevention, reduction, recycling, reuse, and repair.

Mining provides essential materials for modern life but also generates substantial waste. Increasing recycling rates and advancing a circular economy for metals requires collaboration across the entire value chain. By reclassifying waste as a resource the mining sector can drive innovation and create new economic opportunities.

What companies need to know to manage impacts or make a positive contribution
  1. The current and future status of policy regimes on the circular economy and resource efficiency within their areas of operation.
  2. Greater information on material flows through the whole value chain.
  3. Opportunities for establishing new business models in current areas of operation.
Minimising negative impacts Maximising positive contributions
  • Use energy, land, water, chemicals and raw materials more efficiently.
  • Minimise the production of waste, effluent and emissions and undertake audits to drive performance improvement.
  • Understand the value chain of the materials you produce to help prevent inappropriate use of metals by customers.
  • Apply responsible sourcing principles and practices in procurement and work with suppliers to ensure these principles are understood.
  • Provide training in the philosophy and practicalities of the circular economy for employees, suppliers and customers.
  • Work with suppliers and customers to identify opportunities to maximise recycling or shared economy applications.
  • Work with government and other industrial actors to reduce ‘waste’, utilise by-products and invest in capacity for metals recovery and recycling.
  • Build relationships with customers and work to understand the opportunity for improving metal use/product design to enable a circular economy.