Assessment_3_Ethical_Issue on Mining Industry, UNSDG & Targets_Group_1 by Pradip Poudel

dipeshsharmapaudel — 2025-06-04 23:06:29 UTC

s8185685 — 2025-06-07 08:19:41 UTC

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) is a global plan for a more ethical, sustainable, and better future. Businesses must match their work with these goals. This helps address world problems, keeps them ethical, manages risks, and builds trust with others. We focus on SDG 13: Climate Action. It asks industries to act fast against climate change and its effects.

The ethical problem we look at is how mining industry harms the environment, breaks land rights, creates unsafe jobs, causes greenhouse gas pollution leads to climate change. These actions go against sustainability ideas. They hurt groups of people who are already facing hardship, especially Native peoples.

This Padlet will give information about ethical issue caused by mining. Mostly, it will show how mining affects the environment and people's rights. It will also show how following SDG 13 and related goals (13.2, 15.1, 16.6) can lead to more ethical and sustainable business actions. Also, it explains and links the different ‘real-world’ issues and CSR theories related to this issue as well as UNSDGs & Targets.

s8185685 — 2025-06-07 12:27:50 UTC

The Australian mining industry faces significant ethical issues, particularly regarding environmental degradation, Indigenous land rights violations, unsafe Labor conditions, and contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. These issues create impact on the environment and local communities as well as raise questions about the industry's commitment to ethical practices.

Discussion about issues

Environment Degradation: Mostly, mining activities result in soil erosion, deforestation, and pollution of water supplies. For example, the use of heavy machinery and chemicals during mining can cause the release of pollutants into close ecosystems that affect biodiversity and the health of local communities (Ecosustainable, 2023). Mining can damage land, water, animals, and people in ways that are hard to guess. These issues can last even after a mine closes (CSIRO, n.d.).

Indigenous land Rights Violations: In 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed the Juukan Gorge caves, which were important to Indigenous people. This showed how the mining industry often ignores Indigenous culture. People around the world were upset, and it showed the need to treat Indigenous communities with more respect (Stanley & Gudgeon, 2020). Australian laws acknowledge Indigenous land rights. But the Australian government acts in ways that cause Indigenous Australians to lose their land.

Unsafe Labor Conditions: Mining workers mostly work in dangerous places. They deal with chemicals that affect their health as well as cause different accidents. Making sure they stay safe and healthy is a big ethical concern. Studies also point out that workers need more mental health help and a work environment where people treat each other with respect. This would make mining jobs safer and better for health (Government of Western Australia, 2022).

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Mining in Australia produces many greenhouse gases. This makes climate change worse. Getting and processing minerals uses much energy, often from fossil fuels such as coal and gas (Mudd, 2009).

Rio Tinto’s organisation in Australia that had faced challenges in regard to this ethical issue. ‍Rio Tinto destroyed the Juukan Gorge caves, and this event shows the ethical problems in mining. The company had a right to expand. But it did not talk enough with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama in addition to Pinikura (PKKP) people. So, a 46,000-year-old cultural place disappeared forever (News.com.au, 2025).

This event shows why it is important to respect Indigenous land rights and carefully check cultural sites before starting mining work. It also points to a bigger problem companies must take responsibility for their actions and make fair, open decisions that include Indigenous people.

BHP is a big international mining company, which was called BHP Billiton. It focuses on digging up and selling materials like iron ore, copper, coal, and nickel. And it is the organization which is now working to address those issues. As BHP has made efforts to deal with ethical issues in its work. It started a Responsible Minerals Program to make sure the minerals it uses don’t cause harm to people or the environment (BHP, 2024).

BHP’s program checks suppliers carefully, follows global rules, and works with others to support ethical practices in its supply chain. The company also focuses on being open and has set up ways for people to report problems and get them fixed (BHP, n.d.-a).

The company addresses human rights and environmental issues early. BHP demonstrates its care about good mining practices. Its approach offers an example for businesses on how to put ethics into their work which shows the value of company responsibility in mining.

References

BHP. (2024). Responsible Minerals Program Report 2024. https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/environment/2024/240827_bhpresponsiblemineralsprogramreport2024

BHP. (n.d.-a). Ethics and business conduct. https://www.bhp.com/sustainability/ethics-business-conduct

Ecosustainable. (2023, April 20). The environmental impact of Australia’s mining industry: A comprehensive analysis. https://ecosustainable.com.au/the-environmental-impact-of-australias-mining-industry-a-comprehensive-analysis/

CSIRO. (n.d.). Environmental management for mine sites. Retrieved from CSIRO: https://www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/industries/mining-resources/Social-and-environmental-performance/Minesite-environmental-management

Government of Western Australia. (2022). Mental awareness, respect and safety in the mining industry – A review. https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2022-11/MARS_LMS_Preliminary_Report_2A.pdf

Mudd, G. M. (2009). The environmental sustainability of mining in Australia: Key mega-trends and looming constraints. Resources Policy, 34(2), 98–115. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301420709000531?utm

News.com.au (2025, June 2). Historic deal following sacred site destruction. https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/mining/rio-tinto-juukan-gorge-traditional-owners-sign-deal-after-2020-caves-destruction/news-story/9cc1f5d6b7ba2afe878539816b42e4fc

Stanley, M., & Kelly, G. (2020). Pilbara mining blast confirmed to have destroyed 46,000yo sites of 'staggering' significance. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-26/rio-tinto-blast-destroys-area-with-ancient-aboriginal-heritage/12286652

s8185685 — 2025-06-07 12:28:11 UTC

BHP. (2024). Responsible Minerals Program Report 2024. https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/environment/2024/240827_bhpresponsiblemineralsprogramreport2024

BHP. (n.d.-a). Ethics and business conduct. https://www.bhp.com/sustainability/ethics-business-conduct

Ecosustainable. (n.d.). The environmental impact of Australia’s mining industry: A comprehensive analysis. https://ecosustainable.com.au/the-environmental-impact-of-australias-mining-industry-a-comprehensive-analysis/

Government of Western Australia. (2022). Mental awareness, respect and safety in the mining industry – A review. https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2022-11/MARS_LMS_Preliminary_Report_2A.pdf

News.com.au. (2025, June 2). Historic deal following sacred site destruction. https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/mining/rio-tinto-juukan-gorge-traditional-owners-sign-deal-after-2020-caves-destruction/news-story/9cc1f5d6b7ba2afe878539816b42e4fc

s8185685 — 2025-06-07 12:28:40 UTC

dipeshsharmapaudel — 2025-06-07 15:30:40 UTC

Mudd, G. (2010). The environmental sustainability of mining in Australia: Key mega-trends and looming constraints. Retrieved from Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301420709000531

Tost, M., Hitch, M., Chandurkar, V., Moser, P., & Feiel, S. (2020). The state of environmental sustainability considerations in mining. Retrieved from Leoben: https://pure.unileoben.ac.at/en/publications/the-state-of-environmental-sustainability-considerations-in-minin

Stanley, M., & Kelly, G. (2020). Pilbara mining blast confirmed to have destroyed 46,000yo sites of 'staggering' significance. Retrieved from ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-26/rio-tinto-blast-destroys-area-with-ancient-aboriginal-heritage/12286652

R Oven, J., & Kemp, D. (2013). Social licence and mining: A critical perspective. Retrieved from Sceince Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301420712000529

Burotn, M. (2025). Aboriginal group seeks $1.1 billion from Western Australia in iron ore claim. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/land-use-biodiversity/aboriginal-group-seeks-11-bln-western-australia-iron-ore-claim-2025-02-19/

Connor, D. (2025). Push to reopen old mines in NSW in global race for critical minerals. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/05/push-to-reopen-old-mines-in-nsw-in-global-race-for-critical-minerals

Kragt M, Manero A, Hawkins J, & Liscon C. (2019). A review of mine rehabilitation condition setting in Western Australia. Retrieved from Western Australian Biodiversity: https://soe.dcceew.gov.au/biodiversity/pressures/industry

dipeshsharmapaudel — 2025-06-07 15:30:55 UTC

The problem with mining industry is that the demand for the minerals is vast while there is a limited or finite mineral sources and this violates rights of indigenous land and degrade natural environment. The ethical issues presented by the Australian Mining industry shows the concern over issues like deforestation, soil erosion, contamination of water sources, negative impact on local eco system and communities (Mudd, G. M., 2010). According to the study, as of 2023, 57.8% of Australia’s mining projects were located on those lands where Indigenous Australians hold the right to negotiate with number potentially rising to 79.2% if it is included under native title (Energy Research and Social Science, 2024). These activities harm the environment while degrading the rights of Indigenous communities. Moreover, the risk of contamination of land and water can continue for a long period even after the operation is ceased. The mining industry in Australia spends around 1.5 billion AUD annually to act accordingly with environment regulations (CSIRO, n.d.).

One of the major sector to influence this ethical issue is business sector as it prioritizes profit over the well-being of the environment. In today’s time, mining companies focuses on extracting and exploiting natural resources without looking at the long-term consequences (Tost et al., 2020). To support this topic, let’s have a look at the example of a real event that took place back in 2020 when Rio Tinto blasted 46,000-year-old Juukan George rock shelters which was legally permitted event under the section 18 of western Australian’s Aboriginal Heritage Act (Stanley & Gudgeon, 2020). This event shows how the legal frameworks fail when it comes to the interest of blowing up economy regardless of the damage done to the Indigenous heritage.

Furthermore, when mining companies fails to operate with Indigenous communities, it conducts social unfairness and continues the mistreatment of these communities that they have been facing from the ages (Owen & Kemp, 2013). For instance, Yindjibarndi man Michale Wooodley operated Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation (YNAC) is demanding a whopping 1.8 billion AUD, 1 billion for cultural damage and rest for economic loss from Western Australian in compensation after the government permitted Fortescue to mine the iron ore without a land use deal as they say it damages Solomon’s land and people (Burton, 2025).

The impact of mining in environment is long-lasting. In New South Wales, people are concerned over the potential water contamination as the reopening of antimony mines on the Dorrigo Plateau rumoured as there have been many past cases in the area where antimony and arsenic levels have gone hazardous and beyond the safety limits during heavy rains (Connor, 2025). Additionally, around 44.2 million hectares of land in western Australia were under mining tenements in 2017-1018 which is 17% of state’s total land area. This high and extra land use led to habitat loss and degradation and affected ecosystem (Kragt et al. 2019).

The ethical issue over Australian Mining Industry is really complicated and needs to be monitored in order to protect the environment and people for the greater future. Real life issues like unsafe labour conditions, violations of Indigenous land rights and environmental degradation are being continued. Mining companies are contributing to climate change through greenhouse emissions. United Nation should actively conduct activities to make things in control so that they can achieve their goals under related SDGs. From the communities to business to government, everyone should provide the required and applicable concerns and efforts towards sustaining great environment for the world. These can be achieved by adopting ethical and sustainable practices. If they fail to contribute, then the risks for further damages to ecosystems and Indigenous culture grows to a new height.

References

R Oven, J., & Kemp, D. (2013). Social licence and mining: A critical perspective. Retrieved from Sceince Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301420712000529

REAL WORLD ISSUES

dipeshsharmapaudel — 2025-06-08 01:06:45 UTC

s8185685 — 2025-06-08 12:51:20 UTC

This Padlet focused on ethical worries about Australia's mining - it described how mining degrades the environment and connects to UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. We clarified the ways that mining firms contaminate, damage land along with affect local groups. A company has a duty to act responsibly toward itself. Further, this padlet also mention about SDG 15: Life on Land and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

We also illustrated how companies and individuals can make a difference. Companies can make decisions that are better by being greener in their process and more transparent. Individuals can also help these changes through their actions, such as using green products or simply by creating more awareness.

UNSDGs are necessary as they serve as a standard for organizations and individuals to strive towards a more sustainable, equal world. In our group's opinion, we think businesses need to behave in an ethical manner, not solely for profit, but for the welfare of individuals and the planet for generations to come.

Individual Implications

s8185685 — 2025-06-08 12:59:39 UTC

Tackling the ethical dilemmas in Australian mining contains their solutions both individually and at the community levels, as the individual and certain groups can do a lot to enhance sustainability and corporate accountability aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action.

The simple action for completion of ethical mining operations is by advocating the policies and companies reducing the negative environmental impacts. Individuals can work independently on behalf of their opinions, pressure local councils, and raise awareness on social media, to increase pressure on upstream and midstream actors (Holmes et al., 2022)

Another option is ethical investing, by providing a superannuation fund that excludes unethical mining companies as a means to apply market pressure on those companies. In Australia, ethical investing is baing popular nowdays. According to (ASX, 2023), nearly two-thirds of retail investors are willing to invest in a sustainable way which indicates a strong shift towards responsible investment choices. In fact, responsible investment now represents 36% of the investment market, amounting to $1.3 trillion (ABC News, 2024).

References

Holmes, G., Sandbrook, C., & Fisher, J. A. (2022). Understanding conservationists’ perspectives on the links between human rights and conservation. Sustainability Science, 17, 29–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-021-01026-1

ASX. (2023). Retail investors embrace social and environmental issues. Australian Securities Exchange. https://www.asx.com.au/blog/investor-update/2023/retail-investors-embrace-social-and-environmental-issues

ABC News. (2024, April 30). Ethical, responsible investing doesn't mean lower returns. These Australians are doing it. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-30/investing-ethically-and-responsibly-becoming-more-popular/103739498

s8185685 — 2025-06-08 13:03:08 UTC

Australian Human Rights Commission. (2023). Responsible business conduct and human rights. https://humanrights.gov.au

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2023). Mine rehabilitation reforms. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc

Hilson, G., & Maconachie, R. (2020). Artisanal and small-scale mining and the Sustainable Development Goals: Opportunities and new directions for sub-Saharan Africa. Resources Policy, 64, 101789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101789

s8185685 — 2025-06-08 13:26:29 UTC

Shaw, W., Barry, V., & Muntean, D. (2020). Normative theories of ethics. In Moral issues in business (4th ed., pp. 43–81). Cengage. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/vu/reader.action?docID=6511766&ppg=21

BHP. (2024). Responsible minerals program. https://www.bhp.com/sustainability

International Council on Mining and Metals. (n.d.). Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/our-work/sustainable-development-goals

Pactwa, K., & Woźniak, J. (2017). Environmental reporting policy of the mining industry leaders in Poland. Resources Policy, 53, 201–207. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301420717300508?via%3Dihub

United Nations. (2024). Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals: Report of the Secretary-General (A/79/79-E/2024/54). United Nations Economic and Social Council. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/report/2024/SG-SDG-Progress-Report-2024-advanced-unedited-version.pdf

Linking Mining’s Ethical Issues to Kantian Ethics and ESG Reporting.

abdullahnafim — 2025-06-08 13:27:01 UTC

In Australia, the mining assiduity faces ethical issues similar as environmental damage and violation of Indigenous land rights, employing unsafe labour and emitting hothouse feasts. Kantian Ethics makes clear these ethical challenges, as does the CSR tool ESG Reporting.

Kantian ethics demands that people always be treated as ends in themselves and no way simply as means to an end (Shaw, W., Barry, V., & Muntean, D, 2020). This implies that the mining companies must admire the quality, rights and autonomy of all those affected by the company’s conditioning. These grottoes dated back 46,000 times and belonged to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura. Rio Tinto would destroy the Juukan Gorge grottoes to favor profit over rights (News.com.au, 2025). As per Kant’s categorical imperative, this act is immoral because this can not be universalized. That is, if every company would destroy irreplaceable heritage for profit, there would be enormous artistic loss. also, mortal quality would be treated as a means to an end (Shaw, W., Barry, V., & Muntean, D, 2020). Likewise, the unsafe labor conditions, along with the environmental injustice, treat the workers and communities as bare means and use them for profitable earnings. therefore, it's violating the demand of Kant who demands respect and fairness.

ESG Reporting is a new CSR that enforces companies to measure and expose their environmental, social and governance impact transparently (Shaw, W., Barry, V., & Muntean, D, 2020). Through this frame, mining companies get motivated for measures similar as emigration reductions, ecosystem protection and fair treatment of workers and Indigenous peoples. An illustration is BHP’s Responsible Minerals program, which includes covering suppliers, following transnational norms and reporting openly to reduce detriment and ensure fair practices throughout the force chain. (BHP, 2024)

ESG complements Kantian ethics as it sets out universal rules and prospects for the conduct of businesses in the way that they would admire people and earth.
Integrating Kantian ethics into ESG reporting can help mining companies in enhancing their alignment with SDG 13 Climate Action. In other words, we do not harm the terrain and reduce overall emigration. It's further important to admire the quality and rights of all stakeholders. A long- term social license can not be taken for granted, whether for business or communities. In the evolving world of low carbon, inclusive and sustainable growth will give gender balance and equal occasion.

References

BHP. (2024). Responsible minerals program. https://www.bhp.com/sustainability

Relation with Applicable UNSDG & Targets.

abdullahnafim — 2025-06-08 13:27:41 UTC

The connections between the ethical issues in the mining assiduity in Australia and the UNSDGs are clear, with SDG 13 Climate Action furnishing the main background for these issues.

SDG 13 Climate Action.
This SDG calls for critical action to combat climate change and its impact. This end, in particular, is especially applicable in the mining sector which is a considerable contributor to hothouse gas through energy- ferocious birth and reactionary energy use. The mining sector can support this thing by.
• Cutting functional emigrations by espousing energy effectiveness and renewable energy.
• programs on carbon operation with ambitious objects.
• Leading the assiduity’s response to climate change.
• Including climate change measures in company strategies to help rainfall extreme conditions( 1).

Target 13.2 calls for the integration of climate change measures into programs, strategies and planning processes. This means that mining companies need to be comprehensive in their climate strategies. Not just mitigation( cutting emigrations) but adaption(getting ready for climate).
Supporting SDGs

Business Implications

s8185685 — 2025-06-08 13:30:46 UTC

To improve ethical mining practices and support UNSDG 13, Climate Action, our group can take individual and group actions to push businesses to cooperate with UNSDG. One suggestion is to focus on sustainable purchasing by buying from companies that gives priority to responsible environmental practices in their mining. By promoting ethical supply, businesses will recognize the growing demand for responsible products and will have to shift toward green practices(Hilson & Maconachie, 2020)

Another suggestion is to partner with educational institutions, organizations and NGOs to launch campaigns that increase accountability and transparency in the mining industry. These efforts could empower the community and investors to demand better transparency of the mining practices in Australia (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2023).

Currently in Australia, everyone rely on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) for environmental regulation, along with state-level rehabilitation,(Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, 2023). There are gaps in enforcement, and the existing architecture are mainly reactive, which slows the sustainable practices in the industry.

These suggestions can be driven proactive and preventive actions which are based on the demand and can shape those public opinion way more effectively. When combined with other policies these solutions can boost social expectation and help in immediate action beyond ongoing regulations.

When individuals and groups participate in ethical consumerism, they play a vital role in promoting positive change for sustainable business.

References

Australian Human Rights Commission. (2023). Responsible business conduct and human rights. https://humanrights.gov.au

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2023). Mine rehabilitation reforms. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc

MINING

s8185685 — 2025-06-09 22:59:35 UTC

LINKING THE THEORIES

s8185685 — 2025-06-09 23:08:40 UTC

s8185685 — 2025-06-09 23:31:37 UTC

SDG 15: Life on Land particularly encourages the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems( Target 15.1) Mining leads to environmental declination, through deforestation and soil corrosion, and disrupts ecosystems. Mining companies need to borrow responsible land operation practices and recuperation measures to meet this thing.

s8185685 — 2025-06-09 23:32:45 UTC

SDG 16, Target 6, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions- Targets effective, responsible and transparent institutions. The attack on Indigenous land rights, which passed through the Rio Tinto Juukan Gorge incident, has corroborated the need for decision- making processes that are transparent and rather exemplary on the part of mining companies.

s8185685 — 2025-06-09 23:33:23 UTC

Assiduity Response and perpetration.
The International Council on Mining and Essence( ICMM) acknowledges that mining has “ a significant,cross-cutting impact on multiple pretensions ” (International Council on Mining and Metals, n.d.).

The mining assiduity is not compatible with any one SDG as is the case with some other diligence. It has impacts on structure, energy transition, water operation, profitable growth, and social challenges along with the environmental bones .
Mining businesses will appreciatively affect these SDGs.
1. Using operation systems that reduce negative environmental goods and cover biodiversity.
2. Teaming up with governments, civil society and development organisations to maximise positive impacts.
3. The use of new technology is a great way to attack climate challenges.
4. Helping communities come stronger against climate shocks is pivotal in this situation.
5. Recycling of mine waste to recover essence from residue is one of the indirect frugality practices. For case, Igneo Technologies has been working on setting up ane-waste essence recovery installation.
The joe principally suggests these results, and we need to break these problems as well to help Mr Trump make America great again.
For Australian mining companies in particular, the need to fete and consider the being ethical issues of environmental declination, indigenous land rights violations, unsafe labour conditions, and emigrations are veritably material.

BHP’s Responsible Minerals Program is an illustration of how businesses can start this alignment through supplier verification, global norms, and telling systems.
When incorporated throughout the mining operations, the companies are suitable to shift from being a damage to the terrain to a or ‘ a force for good in ending poverty, guarding the earth as well as participating substance (BHP, 2024).

References:

BHP. (2024). Responsible minerals program. https://www.bhp.com/sustainability

International Council on Mining and Metals. (n.d.). Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/our-work/sustainable-development-goals