Sustainable Development in Mining Activities: The Importance of Environmental Literacy

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor of Economic Development and Planning, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Ph. D Student of Public Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

10.22111/gdij.2025.51758.3731

Abstract

Mining activities, as primary sources of raw materials, have significant impacts on the environment and local communities, including habitat destruction, water and soil pollution, and biodiversity loss. However, one of the main issues in this context is the lack of awareness and environmental literacy within mining communities, which hinders the ability to make appropriate decisions for sustainable resource management. These challenges highlight the necessity of fostering environmental literacy in mining communities as a fundamental strategy to reduce environmental harm and promote sustainable development. The present research aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing the increase of environmental literacy in mining communities. This study, as an   applied research, examines the opinions of 15 experts in environmental science and development related to the mining industry and employs the fuzzy Delphi technique to achieve consensus on the identified components. In this regard, key components affecting environmental literacy were extracted and sent to the experts. The results indicate that components such as “providing incentives for participation,” “encouraging voluntary activities,” and “developing educational infrastructure” have the highest fuzzy averages and have been significantly endorsed by the experts. This research also emphasizes the importance of community participation in educational and promotional processes. Active participation of local communities can contribute to the formation of awareness and a culture of environmental protection, which is especially crucial in mining communities facing specific environmental challenges. Additionally, the use of modern technologies in environmental education has been identified as a key component that can improve access to information and educational resources. This research serves as a credible resource for policymakers and planners aimed at improving the environmental and economic performance of the mining industry and can assist in the design and implementation of effective educational and promotional programs in this field.

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Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 27 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 20 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 22 July 2025

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