Preconditions for successful implementation of the Finnish standard for sustainable mining

Mining companies are facing various environmental and social challenges, ranging from ecological concerns to community relations issues. In Finland, mining companies have responded to these challenges by developing a sustainability initiative to increase their responsibility. This study is based on a questionnaire administered to senior mine managers to capture their views on the matter. This research argues that for successful implementation of the ‘Towards Sustainable Mining Standard’, organizations need certain leadership and management processes to support implementation. This research also argues that organizations need a set of sustainability initiatives to guide their operations towards improved environmental performance. This research shows that sustainability initiatives play an important role in mining companies’ operations, and companies are committed to several initiatives in their businesses. Results show that top management commitment, adequate resource allocation, and a functioning management system with an emphasis on communication and stakeholder engagement are essential to support implementation.