Mineral resources landscape: Reconciling complexity, sustainability and technology

This paper explores the complexity of the mineral resource development and sustainability problématique. The Mineral Resources Landscape presented in this paper links minerals production and consumption and connects social, ecological, technological, economic and governance domains across local, national and global scales. Using the framework to map current research shows an industry focus on 'resource availability' and developing new 'technology for processing' whilst ignoring the in use 'services and value' offered by the minerals. These overlooked areas are proposed as being integral to developing sustainable systems of Australian minerals production and consumption, across multiple scales and domains. Copyright © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd