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Group Project: Ethics of the Mining Industry Group 4 Business Ethics 04-71-300-02 Professor Singh Date submitted: March 19th, 2014

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Executive Summary This report assesses the global mining industry from a business perspective. Firstly, it begins with the history of mining across the globe and the structure of the mining industry. It then analyzes the impacts of the mining industry globally. Lastly, it addresses the issues surrounding our land—the Canadian mining industry. The research shows that the history of mining goes as far as the Neolithic era. The mining value chain presented demonstrates the formation of a

mining company to the extraction of the natural resources. Further investigation shows that the mining structure is an oligopoly. Methods of analysis include an environmental analysis using PEST and a stakeholder map, which focus on the performance of a world-renowned mining company TransAlta. The finding is that management’s role is to have efficiency and productivity while maintaining ethical practices. Ethical theories are then used to look at the social, environmental and economical impacts of the Canadian industry. It is concluded that each

ethical theory presents a favorable solution to each impact. Social corporate responsibility is evaluated in the last ten years in Canada and around the globe. It is found that the industry has become one of the most safety-conscious industries within Canada. The companies still have a prospective future as technological advancements, a major key to a sustainable industry, are increasing. Recommendations given include: ■ Mining companies should be accountable for their duty of care to their surrounding communities as they have large environmental and economical impacts. ■ Corporate responsibility should continue to be at the core of every mining company based in