For mining to contribute positively to sustainable development, negative impacts need to be minimized,
potential benefits maximized, and the risks associated with alternative mining and mineral processing
methods identified and dealt with. This necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the
mineralogical characteristics of the deposit, the environmental systems within which it resides, including
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and the social systems and cultures of peoples adjacent to the
proposed site and as well as those potentially impacted by development. Such understanding will
depend on input from geological, environmental , mining and metallurgical , mechanical, chemical and
civil engineers, among others.
Sustainable mineral development (mine planning and development), and mineral and metals extraction
and processing, closure, and reclamation technologies, as well as minerals and metals reuse and
recycling, will require continued advances and innovation in technology, which can only be achieved
through education of the next and future generations of scientists and engineers, and other
professionals, as well as the funding of basic and applied research. In addition, a well trained workforce
will be essential to ensure that life cycl e thinking, best mining practices and cleaner production are
followed. We therefore want to stress the importance of worker training, sharing of best practices,
technology transfer, and capacity building in all relevant fields.
The Scientific and Technological Community Major Group is prepared to work in partnership with the
United Nations, member states and all interested parties on these efforts.
