Principles and criteria of sustainable development for the mineral exploration industry

Mineral exploration has experienced significant growth over the past decade. Characterized by the absence of production revenues, mineral exploration companies rely on investors, who are increasingly concerned about environmental compliance and social acceptability. Although several guidelines have been developed (e.g. e3 Plus, ISO 26000, BNQ 21000), none provides for third -party evaluation and issuing of a certificate of compliance with sustainable development principles. Given the specificities of the mineral exploration industry, a sectorial certification standard would be better suited to frame their activities. This study suggests a set of principles and criteria of sustainable development that could be the basis for developing a sectorial standard for the mineral exploration industry. Available sustainable development guidelines were analyzed in order to obtain a preliminary list of principles and criteria. A Delphi survey involving 44 experts then allowed to obtain a final, consensual list of 8 principles (Environmental quality, Quality of life, Work environment, Local investment, Business ethics, Transparency and reporting, Innovation, Economic efficiency) and 27 criteria. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.