4
environmental effects especially as copper mines become
deeper and are located in politically and ecologically sensi-
tive areas (Valenta et al., 2019).
Extraction and Processing
The extraction and processing stage is concerned with the
exploitation of Earth’s minerals through a sustainable and
safe mining operation which is reliant on collaboration
with various disciplines. Once those minerals are extracted,
the second major concern is the purifying of the miner-
als into high-grade copper, used to produce consumable
goods or copper wires, by utilizing their known physical
and chemical properties. Therefore, this stage requires the
expertise of engineers, geologists, chemists, metallurgists,
electricians, mechanics, planners and drafters, public health
and social workers, attorneys, accountants, surveyors, etc.
Diverse disciplines are needed to ensure the development
and maintenance of adequate working conditions for
employees, fostering healthy relationships, proper monitor-
ing and usage of energy sources, technologies, and equip-
ment, and more.
Closure and Reclamation
The last stage of the copper supply chain is the closure and
reclamation which targets the shutdown, restoration, and
monitoring (post-mine production) of the land used to
mine the material such that mines initiate their reclama-
tion plans at the beginning of the mine life to ensure their
capability of supporting their surroundings. Throughout
the mine’s operational years, reclamation is supported by
ensuring that practices and equipment are not damaging
the environment by causing prevalent issues such as water
scarcity, resource contamination, animal endangerment,
and climate change (k2fly, 2019).
Towards the end of the mine life, companies start
their mine closure plans by ramping down production and
commencing the clean-up process. When the mine is shut
down and the clean-up is complete, the company in charge
will commence its reclamation plan of either refilling the
pit in the case of open-pit operations and restoring it to
its original condition or building a facility or space that is
of benefit for nearby communities. After the reclamation
action plan is finished, the company has the responsibility
to monitor the area for potential hazards and environmen-
tal impacts such as acidic drainage, unstable ground, and so
on (k2fly, 2019).
IDENTIFIED RISKS IN THE COPPER
SUPPLY CHAIN
Risks and operational hazards are unavoidable in copper
projects due to the interaction and collision of various
groups of people, their interests and concerns, cultures and
traditions, imbalance consumption and access of resources,
and different safety behaviors. It is important to identify
project and operational hazards before they occur or find
solutions to mitigate risks present.
Exploration and Prospecting
In the exploration and prospecting stage, economic and
regulatory risks are more prominent as this stage deals with
the location and evaluation of a potential copper deposit.
Risks that companies can face during this stage include:
• Environmental: Invasive practices can lead to environ-
mental impacts, habitat disturbances, resource contami-
nation, and disruption of ecosystems.
• Financial: Lack of funds or investments can lead to the
adoption of cheap and inaccurate practices or technology
that can predict false metallurgical data.
• Political and Social: Changes in federal policies, com-
munity opinions, and land ownership can lead to project
delays or cancellations.
• Regulatory/Permitting: Delays or denial of permits can
hinder exploration plans and therefore increase costs.
Mine-site Design and Planning
The mine-site design and planning stage is considered the
most critical phase of the supply chain since vital decisions
can impact the mine’s resilience, operational strategies,
costs, layout, and future developments. If appropriate and
sustainable decisions are not made, several risks can surface
such as:
• Closure and Reclamation: Lack of proper planning to
limit environmental hazards from the beginning of the
lifecycle can lead to irreversible damage and the forma-
tion of health and safety risks. Additionally, failure to
integrate closure and reclamation considerations into
the design can challenge compliance with federal regula-
tions, company closure plans/promises, and community
expectations.
• Environmental: The absence of environmental moni-
toring systems can increase environmental risks such as
greenhouse gas emissions, water and soil contamination,
environmental effects especially as copper mines become
deeper and are located in politically and ecologically sensi-
tive areas (Valenta et al., 2019).
Extraction and Processing
The extraction and processing stage is concerned with the
exploitation of Earth’s minerals through a sustainable and
safe mining operation which is reliant on collaboration
with various disciplines. Once those minerals are extracted,
the second major concern is the purifying of the miner-
als into high-grade copper, used to produce consumable
goods or copper wires, by utilizing their known physical
and chemical properties. Therefore, this stage requires the
expertise of engineers, geologists, chemists, metallurgists,
electricians, mechanics, planners and drafters, public health
and social workers, attorneys, accountants, surveyors, etc.
Diverse disciplines are needed to ensure the development
and maintenance of adequate working conditions for
employees, fostering healthy relationships, proper monitor-
ing and usage of energy sources, technologies, and equip-
ment, and more.
Closure and Reclamation
The last stage of the copper supply chain is the closure and
reclamation which targets the shutdown, restoration, and
monitoring (post-mine production) of the land used to
mine the material such that mines initiate their reclama-
tion plans at the beginning of the mine life to ensure their
capability of supporting their surroundings. Throughout
the mine’s operational years, reclamation is supported by
ensuring that practices and equipment are not damaging
the environment by causing prevalent issues such as water
scarcity, resource contamination, animal endangerment,
and climate change (k2fly, 2019).
Towards the end of the mine life, companies start
their mine closure plans by ramping down production and
commencing the clean-up process. When the mine is shut
down and the clean-up is complete, the company in charge
will commence its reclamation plan of either refilling the
pit in the case of open-pit operations and restoring it to
its original condition or building a facility or space that is
of benefit for nearby communities. After the reclamation
action plan is finished, the company has the responsibility
to monitor the area for potential hazards and environmen-
tal impacts such as acidic drainage, unstable ground, and so
on (k2fly, 2019).
IDENTIFIED RISKS IN THE COPPER
SUPPLY CHAIN
Risks and operational hazards are unavoidable in copper
projects due to the interaction and collision of various
groups of people, their interests and concerns, cultures and
traditions, imbalance consumption and access of resources,
and different safety behaviors. It is important to identify
project and operational hazards before they occur or find
solutions to mitigate risks present.
Exploration and Prospecting
In the exploration and prospecting stage, economic and
regulatory risks are more prominent as this stage deals with
the location and evaluation of a potential copper deposit.
Risks that companies can face during this stage include:
• Environmental: Invasive practices can lead to environ-
mental impacts, habitat disturbances, resource contami-
nation, and disruption of ecosystems.
• Financial: Lack of funds or investments can lead to the
adoption of cheap and inaccurate practices or technology
that can predict false metallurgical data.
• Political and Social: Changes in federal policies, com-
munity opinions, and land ownership can lead to project
delays or cancellations.
• Regulatory/Permitting: Delays or denial of permits can
hinder exploration plans and therefore increase costs.
Mine-site Design and Planning
The mine-site design and planning stage is considered the
most critical phase of the supply chain since vital decisions
can impact the mine’s resilience, operational strategies,
costs, layout, and future developments. If appropriate and
sustainable decisions are not made, several risks can surface
such as:
• Closure and Reclamation: Lack of proper planning to
limit environmental hazards from the beginning of the
lifecycle can lead to irreversible damage and the forma-
tion of health and safety risks. Additionally, failure to
integrate closure and reclamation considerations into
the design can challenge compliance with federal regula-
tions, company closure plans/promises, and community
expectations.
• Environmental: The absence of environmental moni-
toring systems can increase environmental risks such as
greenhouse gas emissions, water and soil contamination,