1
25-046
Inclusive Mining for Sustainable Development:
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion Through Corporate
Volunteering and the SDGs
Monica Campos
SME UNC, Peru
Jose Mujica
SME UNC, Peru
Maria Campos
SME UNC, Peru
INTRODUCTION
The extraction and processing of metals and other minerals
have played an important role in economic, political, and
social development worldwide, from the early stages of pre-
history to the present day (Gosner, 2020). In other words,
mining has been a fundamental part of human civilization,
providing the raw materials necessary for technological,
infrastructure, and industrial advances. As society pro-
gresses, the importance of mining continues to grow, sup-
porting the development of everything from the smallest
electronic devices to the tallest skyscrapers (The Importance
Of Mining In Modern Society, 2024).
The mining industry is closely linked to a country’s
economy and activities related to natural resources. The
economy of a nation is connected to its extractive industries
(Moreira &McMahon, 2014), which have seen dramatic
growth in recent years (Pietrobelli et al., 2018).
In a context of increasing demand for natural resources,
driven by the development of emerging technologies, the
expansion of infrastructure, and the foundation of engi-
neering achievements for the coming decades (Importance
Of Mining -Minerals Education Coalition, 2024), min-
ing should focus efforts on global development, requiring
a comprehensive approach to sustainability that addresses
the planet’s needs and protects the well-being, primarily, of
the communities and environments where mining opera-
tions take place (Figari, 2024). In these areas, diversity and
inclusion should be promoted, thus fostering equitable and
sustainable development.
Speaking of sustainable development, diversity, and
inclusion brings us to an interesting topic: the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global
Goals, which could serve as a key framework for fostering
a strong social management culture in mining. The SDGs
were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a univer-
sal call to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that
all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030 (Sustainable
Development Goals, n.d.).
Companies have compelling reasons to align their
actions with the SDGs, as their long-term success depends
on healthy communities. This is a major challenge and
requires collaborative efforts (Singh &Rahman, 2021). As
Fraser (2021) mentions, achieving more sustainable out-
comes may involve mining companies and communities
working together collaboratively.
This research proposes an innovative approach:
Inclusive Mining for Sustainable Development, which
aims not only to maximize economic profitability but also
to promote social and environmental well-being by inte-
grating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), primarily focused on diversity and inclu-
sion. This can be achieved through the implementation
of a key value-added initiative for mining companies: the
Creation and operation of a corporate volunteering pro-
gram aimed at developing and executing inclusive practices
to promote gender equality, the inclusion of local commu-
nities and indigenous peoples, and accessibility for people
with disabilities.
This proposal will educate employees and stakeholders
about sustainability and promote concrete actions through
corporate volunteering to strengthen the mining compa-
ny’s commitment to community development, improve
social relations, and advance toward achieving the United
Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, establishing the
company as a global change agent.
25-046
Inclusive Mining for Sustainable Development:
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion Through Corporate
Volunteering and the SDGs
Monica Campos
SME UNC, Peru
Jose Mujica
SME UNC, Peru
Maria Campos
SME UNC, Peru
INTRODUCTION
The extraction and processing of metals and other minerals
have played an important role in economic, political, and
social development worldwide, from the early stages of pre-
history to the present day (Gosner, 2020). In other words,
mining has been a fundamental part of human civilization,
providing the raw materials necessary for technological,
infrastructure, and industrial advances. As society pro-
gresses, the importance of mining continues to grow, sup-
porting the development of everything from the smallest
electronic devices to the tallest skyscrapers (The Importance
Of Mining In Modern Society, 2024).
The mining industry is closely linked to a country’s
economy and activities related to natural resources. The
economy of a nation is connected to its extractive industries
(Moreira &McMahon, 2014), which have seen dramatic
growth in recent years (Pietrobelli et al., 2018).
In a context of increasing demand for natural resources,
driven by the development of emerging technologies, the
expansion of infrastructure, and the foundation of engi-
neering achievements for the coming decades (Importance
Of Mining -Minerals Education Coalition, 2024), min-
ing should focus efforts on global development, requiring
a comprehensive approach to sustainability that addresses
the planet’s needs and protects the well-being, primarily, of
the communities and environments where mining opera-
tions take place (Figari, 2024). In these areas, diversity and
inclusion should be promoted, thus fostering equitable and
sustainable development.
Speaking of sustainable development, diversity, and
inclusion brings us to an interesting topic: the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global
Goals, which could serve as a key framework for fostering
a strong social management culture in mining. The SDGs
were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a univer-
sal call to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that
all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030 (Sustainable
Development Goals, n.d.).
Companies have compelling reasons to align their
actions with the SDGs, as their long-term success depends
on healthy communities. This is a major challenge and
requires collaborative efforts (Singh &Rahman, 2021). As
Fraser (2021) mentions, achieving more sustainable out-
comes may involve mining companies and communities
working together collaboratively.
This research proposes an innovative approach:
Inclusive Mining for Sustainable Development, which
aims not only to maximize economic profitability but also
to promote social and environmental well-being by inte-
grating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), primarily focused on diversity and inclu-
sion. This can be achieved through the implementation
of a key value-added initiative for mining companies: the
Creation and operation of a corporate volunteering pro-
gram aimed at developing and executing inclusive practices
to promote gender equality, the inclusion of local commu-
nities and indigenous peoples, and accessibility for people
with disabilities.
This proposal will educate employees and stakeholders
about sustainability and promote concrete actions through
corporate volunteering to strengthen the mining compa-
ny’s commitment to community development, improve
social relations, and advance toward achieving the United
Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, establishing the
company as a global change agent.