Evaluating the barriers and drivers of adopting circular economy for improving sustainability in the mining industry

Vivian Osei, Chunguang Bai, Disraeli Asante-Darko and Matthew Quayson

Resources Policy, 2023, vol. 86, issue PB

Abstract: The transition towards a circular economy (CE) has been espoused as a key paradigm for achieving sustainability, but practical adoption has been limited because of the complexity of decisions involving consideration of many factors (both drivers and barriers) from various perspectives. Meanwhile, decision support frameworks that prioritise the main enablers and barriers of CE for the sustainability of the mining industry in emerging and developing economies are inadequate to aid wide-scale implementation. Also, empirical research that integrates well-established theories to capture the relevant set of barriers and drivers of adoption decisions is still scanty within the evolving literature, especially within developing African nations. Using the technology-organisation-environment (T-O-E) theoretical framework, this research develops a decision-support framework of the critical enablers and inhibitors to CE adoption and prioritises the most pertinent ones to achieving sustainability objectives within the specific context of the mining industry in a developing country using the best-worst method (BWM). The most relevant categories within the study context are ranked, as well as the individual drivers and barriers within them. The research outcomes can aid stakeholders of the mining industry in mineral-rich developing countries to understand the relevant drivers and direct resources to address the most pressing barriers to the successful adoption of CE operational practices to reduce ecological degradation, optimise the consumption and extraction of resources within operational activities, and contribute more sustainably to socio-economic development.

Keywords: Circular economy; Mining industry; Sustainability; Best-worst method; Technology; Organisation, and environment (T-O-E) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:86:y:2023:i:pb:s0301420723008796

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.104168

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