Climate-Smart Mining through Block Matrix Analysis: A Conceptual Modeling Approach for Sustainable Resource Governance

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

School of Mining Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/ijmge.2025.400407.595290

Abstract

As climate change intensifies the environmental and operational risks of extractive industries, Climate-Smart Mining (CSM) has emerged as a strategic response to align mining practices with sustainability goals. This study applies a novel block matrix analysis (BMA) framework to conceptualize and evaluate CSM governance structures. Fifteen key sustainability indicators were classified into five strategic domains—legal frameworks, supply chains, resource efficiency, carbon-energy management, and stakeholder engagement—and structured into a 5×5 interaction matrix (M55). Expert scoring from 12 professionals populated the matrix with interaction values ranging from 17.7 to 67.8. Color-coded mapping and determinant-based analysis identified structurally fragile blocks, particularly EOP–EOP (17.7), SII–CE (20.9), and SII–FIM (21.1). Determinants calculated using Barysh and Gaussian methods confirmed structural coherence, yielding values of 218,691.3 and 219,074 respectively, which reflect a highly stable and internally consistent governance matrix rather than fragility. These findings suggest that integrating expert input with matrix determinants offers a robust diagnostic approach for identifying governance weak points and prioritizing reform. The proposed model serves as a scalable decision-support tool for policy planning in mining and environmental sectors facing climate-related uncertainty.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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International Journal of Mining and Geo-Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 12 October 2025

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