SUSOP®: Embedding Sustainable Development Principles into the Design and Operation of Resource Extraction and Processing Operations

Green, S. R., Corder, G. D., McLellan, B. C., van Beers, D. and Bangerter, P. J. (2010). SUSOP®: Embedding Sustainable Development Principles into the Design and Operation of Resource Extraction and Processing Operations. In: , Sustainable Mining 2010 conference : 17-19 August 2010, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Sustainable Mining Conference, Kalgoorlie, WA, (). 17-19 August 2010.

Author Green, S. R.
Corder, G. D.
McLellan, B. C.
van Beers, D.
Bangerter, P. J.
Title of paper SUSOP®: Embedding Sustainable Development Principles into the Design and Operation of Resource Extraction and Processing Operations
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name Sustainable Mining Conference
Conference location Kalgoorlie, WA
Conference dates 17-19 August 2010
Proceedings title Sustainable Mining 2010 conference : 17-19 August 2010, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Place published Carlton, Vic., Australia
Publisher Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Publication date 2010
ISBN 9781921522246; 1921522240
Total pages 16
Language eng
Formatted Abstract/Summary Though many mining and mineral processing companies have embraced the principles of sustainable development (SD), there is still a significant challenge of applying these in a practical sense, either in plant design or as part of day-to-day operations. The high-level nature of sustainability concepts often do not translate easily into workable activities or business case evaluations. This makes it difficult for engineers and company decision makers to understand whether their actions are making a contribution to sustainable development and a long-term business case. 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.

Recognising these serious shortcomings, the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Resource Processing (CSRP) has undertaken the development and trial applications of SUSOP® (SUStainable OPerations), a new concept that is somewhat analogous to HAZOP and the wider risk and safety frameworks used in projects today. The key goal of the SUSOP® research project is to produce a holistic, systematic and rigorous framework for project development, capturing, recording and evaluating SD opportunities and constraints against a chosen sustainability structure (eg Five Capitals). SUSOP® is being developed through an iterative process with input from research institutions and engineering companies. This integrated approach ensures that SUSOP®, in its final form, will have the academic rigour and industry realism required to assist the resource sector contribute to societal sustainability by embedding the concepts and processes into the design and operation of their assets in a meaningful and practical manner.

SUSOP® has created much traction with both engineering companies and mining and minerals operators. This conference paper presents an overview of the SUSOP® framework and its current suite of processes as well as highlighting, through practical case studies, its capability to incorporate SD considerations at different phases of an engineering project’s development.
Q-Index Code E1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Unknown

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collections: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining Publications
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Created: Wed, 19 Oct 2011, 16:43:24 EST by Dr Glen Corder on behalf of Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining