Evaluate how technology, product, and process developments enable a large company like Anglo American to be sustainable, or not. Can I please get the in-text citation with references?
Expert Answer
- bulk commodities: iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal
- base metals and minerals: copper, nickel, niobium and phosphates
- Precious metals and minerals: platinum and diamonds.
As the mineral resources are finite, the immediate needs and expectations have to be balanced with future generations. Mining has a high initial environmental impact and cause an inevitable disruption to land. Even on current technology developments achieving desired impact on the environment is still a challenge. In this industry, the labor-intensive nature of mining is tending to physical hazards which is inbuilt in the industry, increases the risk to human health and safety. The mining industry is highly regulated by governments. Therefore sustainable development and Social responsibility are enforced by the government for mining’s long-term profitability.
As the Anglo American’s company is the big player in the mining industry world wise and have operation in many countries. They have resources to focus on new technology, product and process development for sustainable future of mining industry in general. They have Anglo research and Anglo technical division to make new technological development possible. They have developed specialist mineralogy and analytical services. This helps in emerging of new technologies developments plan which can fill new product in terms of improve and advance quality and services. Anglo American prepares a road map to get the solution of the existing problems through technological innovation.
The Anglo American use to types of exploration, one of which is Greenfield exploration used for new mines. A new process idea is first tested on Beakers scale for sustainable development and minimizes the use of chemical and reduces the energy need for the process. They use to test the process before implementing it to the full scale of business. Their analytical division analyzes the new process with the help of computer modeling before its start. For new product development it is important to have sample, prototypes or working model for testing the results. By all these processes Anglo American have a positive approach for sustainable development which reflects from their policies, business strategies and its implementation.