Embedding sustainable development into the design and operation of industrial processing plants

McLellan, B. C., Corder, G. D. and Green, S (2009). Embedding sustainable development into the design and operation of industrial processing plants. In: , Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering Conference November 2009: Program and Conference Papers. Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering Conference November 2009, Melbourne, Australia, (1-12). 22-24 November 2009.

Author McLellan, B. C.
Corder, G. D.
Green, S
Title of paper Embedding sustainable development into the design and operation of industrial processing plants
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering Conference November 2009
Conference location Melbourne, Australia
Conference dates 22-24 November 2009
Convener Joseph Nair
Proceedings title Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering Conference November 2009: Program and Conference Papers
Place published Melbourne, Australia
Publisher Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering
Publication date 2009
Start page 1
End page 12
Total pages 12
Collection year 2010
Language eng
Abstract/Summary Even though many major industrial companies are embracing the concepts and principles of sustainable development (SD) and sustainability, the challenge of the applying these in a practical sense, either in plant design or as part of day-to-day operations, is not trivial. The high-level nature of sustainable development concepts and principles, such as the ICMM 10 sustainable development principles[1], do not translate easily into workable activities, making it difficult for the practising engineer to understand whether his or her actions or decisions are making a contribution, or even in accord, with the goals of sustainable development. Recognising these serious shortcomings, the Co-operative Research Centre for Sustainable Resource Processing (CSRP) has undertaken a major research project to address these deficiencies in the current design and operation of industrial processing plants. There is, in fact, a wide range of opportunities that can contribute to Sustainable Development (SD) throughout the conceptualisation, development, operation and eventual decommissioning of industrial projects. While several organisations have their own SD tools that can, to a degree, help identify these opportunities, they are largely ad hoc and lack the necessary thoroughness to defensibly value these opportunities. The key goal of the CSRP research project is to produce a holistic, systematic and rigorous process to capture, record and evaluate SD opportunities against a chosen sustainability framework (e.g. five capitals or triple bottom line). This mechanism is called SUSOP® (Sustainable Operations) and is being developed through an iterative process, with significant interest, encouragement and input from industry players involved in both the operational and design phases of resource processing projects. This paper presents an overview of the SUSOP® development process, focusing on its capability to incorporate SD considerations at each phase of an engineering project development.
Subjects 091499 Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy not elsewhere classified
849899 Environmentally Sustainable Mineral Resource Activities not elsewhere classified
E1
Keyword Design and operation of Industrial Processing Plants
Q-Index Code E1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collections: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining Publications
2010 Higher Education Research Data Collection
 
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Created: Mon, 15 Mar 2010, 15:11:57 EST by Mandeep Waraich on behalf of Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining