Multi-criteria evaluation of the socioeconomic impact of mining in Canada from a sustainable development perspective: a theoretical model

Abstract

The socioeconomic impact of mining in Canada has positive and negative aspects. Effective evaluation of its impact suffers from the inadequacy of the criteria and indicators chosen to measure its sustainability and the limitations of the current means used to minimize the subjectivity of expert judgments. Constraints associated with legislation and standards governing mining activities must also be considered.In this study, a theoretical model is proposed for evaluating the socioeconomic impact of mining in Canada.This model combines the multi-criteria analysis methods known as the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy integrated judgment (FIJ).Based on a simulation, the model is able to take into account the subjectivity of expert judgments. In addition to reducing this subjectivity and allowing measurement of sensitivity, the model provided an overview of the progress achieved by a mine during its transition towards sustainable development.