Sustainability, Future Proofing of Businesses and Value Addition in Mining: Structural Vulnerabilities in the Global South

Abstract

Mining continues to play a pivotal role in the economies of many Global South countries, yet its contribution to sustainable development and long-term economic resilience remains contested. This paper examines sustainability as a core strategy for future proofing mining-related businesses, with particular emphasis on value addition as a persistent structural vulnerability for mining-dependent economies in the Global South. Despite their critical position in global mineral supply chains, many resource-rich developing countries remain locked into extractive models characterized by raw mineral exports, environmental degradation, and limited socio-economic transformation. Using a mixed-methods approach that integrates comparative case studies and secondary quantitative indicators, the study contrasts sustainability integration and value addition practices in selected Global South and Global North contexts. The findings reveal that firms and governments in the Global North leverage strong institutions, advanced technologies, and coherent industrial policies to embed sustainability and downstream beneficiation within mining value chains. In contrast, Global South economies face institutional weaknesses, capital constraints, skills shortages, and policy inconsistencies that limit effective sustainability integration and business future proofing. The paper argues that weak local beneficiation represents an “Achilles’ heel” that undermines both corporate resilience and national development outcomes in the Global South. Drawing lessons from resource-poor but economically successful countries, the study emphasizes the need for context-specific sustainability frameworks, strategic industrial policy, and inclusive governance mechanisms. The paper contributes to debates on sustainable mining, development economics, and business resilience by positioning sustainability-driven value addition as a strategic imperative rather than a regulatory burden.