Adoption of circular economy practices in the mining sector: Evidence from Chile

Konstantin Born

Resources Policy, 2025, vol. 102, issue C

Abstract: This paper explores the adoption of Circular Economy (CE) practices in the mining sector. Large-scale mining is essential for global material supply and the energy transition but poses significant environmental challenges. Adopting CE strategies and practices can help mitigate these challenges by reducing waste, improving resource efficiency, and minimising environmental impacts. However, existing CE frameworks are focused on downstream value chain segments and lack crucial conceptual elements to guide CE adoption in upstream industries like mining. The study advances the literature on CE, responsible sourcing of minerals and sustainable raw material extraction by identifying three crucial conceptual elements missing from existing CE frameworks: (1) a clear communication of the goal and boundary of the industrial production system that the adoption of CE practices is targeting; (2) an identification of the source and type of inputs used by the system; and (3) a consideration of the resource state of these inputs and the subsequent structural wastes generated from them. These new conceptual elements allow for a system-level analysis of CE adoption tailored to the context of the mining industry.

Keywords: Circular economy; Mining; Upstream industries; Raw materials; Responsible mining; Sustainability; Chile (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:102:y:2025:i:c:s030142072500056x

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2025.105514

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