What do you think sustainability means in the context of non-renewable resources, given that sustainable development has environmental, economic and social dimensions? In the next few paragraphs you will find my attempt to fairly synthesize the main themes identified in the answers submitted to this question. The original submissions are available in another attachment.

Sustainability in this context is not about the sustainability of production or supply of mineral resources (which, with the exception of fossil fuels, are nearly inexhaustible). "Though individual mines/mineral deposits have a finite life, the existing supply of natural mineral wealth is virtually limitless in human terms." Instead, sustainable development of and from the extraction of non-renewables is based on gaining resources – whether physical, economic, or social -- that will serve the needs and wants of current and future generations. In global terms, this will require the extraction of raw materials – especially to meet the needs of growing populations in the developing world – and not merely the reuse of materials already in the anthroposphere.

Part of that service of human needs and wants is in the ethical mining of resources, that is, their complete extraction so that little is left behind that will become inaccessible upon closure. In the case of non-fuel resources, this extraction provides current and future generations with the opportunity to recapture already mined resources through recycling, reuse, or re-manufacturing -- which both minimizes the impact of new extraction and processing and provides economic benefits as wastes are transformed into resources. In any case, sustainable development in the context of mining and industry must include a research and development component along all its dimensions -- including efficiency improvements, substitution, and technology of extraction and processing.

But, the question quickly arises over the resilience of natural systems to the effects of mineral and energy extraction, transformation, transport, use, and emissions (or disposal). Do such activities overwhelm the assimilative capacity of the earth? Are the sinks (air, land, and water) for pollutants available indefinitely, or are they limited?

Sustainability of mineral and energy extraction is also related to the effect of that extraction on ecosystems and human social and cultural institutions. As one respondent commented, "Mines are temporary and ore bodies are eventually depleted. We can progressively reduce, though never eliminate, our footprint on the earth. Mining can however make contributions to sustainable economic and social development, while returning sites to a state compatible with a healthy environment." While it is clear that, "Sustainability means the exploration, design, construction, operation, and closure of mines in a manner that respects and responds to the social, environmental and economic needs of present generations and anticipates those of future generations….", it is not merely that. "[We should instead] regard sustainability as a characteristic of a larger system such as the combined economic, environmental, and social subsystems." Indeed, the sustainability of mining in this larger system includes all the activities related to mining, including processes used to transform, transport, use, and dispose of these materials, as well as the structure of the industry, and characteristics of affected populations. How these activities impact socio-economic and environmental systems are the primary questions surrounding sustainable development.

The time scale of sustainable development – related to mining’s effects on the environment – is the long term. Short-term effects are to be expected and accepted. In the long term, however, the land abstracted for resource extraction must be returned to at least productive, if not original, function.

The time scale for sustainability in the socio-economic dimension is different since both short and long term effects are important. Sustainability must therefore include the input of people affected by mining or other extractive operations. "Built by the community, a sustainable community is founded on the notion that local problems require local solutions. And because each locality has its own individual strengths and challenges, each locality must determine its own future course." Of course, not all problems are local, or are amenable to local solutions. Some problems, including those of supply, have national or global implications or relate to public resources. All stakeholders at all scales need a chance to be heard before decisions are made.

And, finally, a whole systems approach is necessary. Sustainable development and sustainable land management will require an understanding of many factors, includng earth systems processes and their importance for social and economic systems. Regulation of extraction to protect one resource might have unforeseen consequences on the maintenance of other values.