Tuhu Nugraha, ModernDiplomacy.eu, December 3, 2023
In today’s digital era, technology has brought significant changes to various sectors, including the mining industry. One of the latest promising innovations is the use of the Metaverse, a shared virtual space created by combining virtually enhanced physical reality, augmented reality (AR), and the internet. The Metaverse has great potential in enhancing awareness and implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in the mining industry, especially in developing countries.
ESG Challenges in the Mining Industry
The mining industry in developing countries faces more complex challenges due to several factors. First, regulations in the mining sector are often less stringent, caused by a lack of resources or expertise in formulating effective rules. This situation allows environmentally harmful mining practices to occur without adequate supervision. Secondly, weak law enforcement is also a serious problem. Although regulations may exist, there is often a failure in their implementation due to factors such as corruption, a lack of resources, and inadequate legal infrastructure. On the other hand, economic development priorities often dominate, with mining considered an important source of income.
As a result, governments may sacrifice environmental aspects for short-term economic gain. This often has adverse effects on local communities, including environmental pollution and habitat destruction, and increases social conflict. Furthermore, poor governance issues often arise, especially related to transparency and the lack of involvement of local communities in decision-making.
To address these challenges, improved regulation and law enforcement are needed, as well as a focus on sustainable development and environmental protection. The involvement of local communities in the decision-making process is also crucial for creating a more responsible and sustainable mining industry.
Metaverse as a Solution
The Metaverse, leveraging VR and AR technology, emerges as an innovative response to the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) challenges faced by the mining industry. It enables the creation of realistic and interactive simulations of mining environments, offering mine workers and management a unique platform for comprehensive ESG training. This controlled and safe virtual environment is particularly advantageous for reducing physical injury risks and simulating a range of environmental and social scenarios. Such immersive training equips workers with the skills and knowledge to better handle real-world situations.
