Application of Sustainable Development Principles in Reviewing - Experiences with the Bauxite Mine Rehabilitation Survey

Bauxite mine rehabilitation is an important stage of today’s bauxite mining activities. To get an overall picture on those activities the International Aluminum Institute (IAI) has been carrying out Bauxite Mine Rehabilitation Surveys since 1991. The most recent survey from 2003 covers 70% of the world’s bauxite production and 23 corresponding companies from 12 countries. The survey activities show that nearly all operations refer to a sophisticated environmental management strategy. By setting up a review scheme based on the principles of the Global Reporting Initiative the compliance of this survey to aspects of Sustainable Development has been reviewed. The Clarification of a multitude of aspects based on the GRI guidelines helped to structure recommendations and relate them to the survey as such but also to the different stakeholders involved.