1
Return

Geometallurgy: A review of economic implications for the mining industry in a sustainability driven dispensation

delete2026-03-01
delete0
PRE
AI
E
Evelyn Ruvimbo Manjengwa *
B
Bjorn P. von der Heyden
M
Margreth Tadie
DOI:10.1016/j.exis.2026.101911delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Growing concerns around Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) and, the influence of institutional investment pressures, threatens the viability and legitimacy of the mining industry. ESG and investor pressures coupled with ore body variability and uncertainty in the industry contribute to mining industry risk exposure. For mining operations approaching maturity, mechanisms are required to maximise value accretion across the mining value chain. Diligent and purposeful knowledge of an orebody is required in such an effort. In this regard, geometallurgical thinking has long been adopted as an approach to maximise orebody value in all stages of mining projects. The paper begins by discussing ESG and its significance followed by an account of risk in the industry. Several benefits of geometallurgy are described and supported by examples of case studies showing successful adoption in industry. Important considerations are highlighted that have limited a broader adoption of geometallurgy. Considering the exogenous threats attributed to ESG risk, the authors discuss how geometallurgy can be applied to further mitigate mining company risk exposure. Scope exists to reinforce ESG performance. A framework is proposed to support the inclusion of non - quantitative variables associated with each ESG metric in a geometallurgical block model.
Keywords:
Economic
Environmental social & governance
Geometallurgy
Orebody variability
Risk

Journal

Extractive Industries and Society cover
Extractive Industries and Society
IF:
4.3
Papers:
893
Citations:
4.3K

Organization

S
stellenbosch university
Scholars:
1.3W
Papers: 1.1W
Citations: 17
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers