ESG, Socially Conscious Practice, and the Arts

Shareholders and investors increasingly demand a stronger emphasis on ESG factors (Environmental, Social and Governance) in the mining sector. ESG performance and ratings mature into a proxy for good management and risk mitigation in sustainability portfolios. Transparency, empathy and trust become the new norm for socially conscious practice. The latter are also ‘key ingredients’ for the social licence to operate (SLO) that’s loss is one of the main risks in mining.  

 

Can we enhance a sustainable and fruitful relationship between society, business and the environment? 

The Future Mine

Research Director at the Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland, Anna Littleboy and colleagues shared their recommendation for the future mine 2030 that would contribute effectively to the United Nation’s SDGs. The transformation towards a positive community-company relationship anticipates an integrative role of the mining industry within the environment and society it is embedded in. The ideal scenario maps decision accountability being shared between multiple stakeholders. The focus group thus identified the social performance with a diverse range of stakeholders as an essential action.* Yet, how can we integrate those recommendations within the mining operation?

 

The Arts, Tacit Knowledges and Human Aspects as Role Models

Emotional intelligence and empathy help in building good communication skills, understanding and trust. Social sciences and psychology can activate those mechanisms. The Arts have an additional capacity that enhances dialogue, stimulates imagination and builds shared narratives. Art methods are disruptive, creative and healing at the same time. An increased expertise in social behaviour, the inner self, tacit knowledges and soft skills can foster the understanding of the relationship of everything. The latter might lead to a new, empathic role model for ESGs’ performance, which would include human aspects and distribute the benefits to all.

 
*Anna Littleboy et.al., “A Sustainable Future for Mining by 2030? Insights from an Expert Focus Group,” in: The Extractive Industries and Society 6, n°4 (2019): 1086-1090.