Suppliers of products and services have a pivotal role in
sustainable development in the mining and minerals industry. Reputable suppliers
know their products and services, and the industry, and have unique knowledge of
these in relation to their customer's needs. Petroleum hydrocarbon suppliers, in
particular, impact upon a mine's sustainability because of the extensive reach
of petroleum hydrocarbons into the mining and minerals life-cycle. The petroleum
hydrocarbon life-cycle is a useful framework to enable engagement between
supplier and customer on the issue of sustainability. The life-cycle starts with
supply of fuels, lubricants and services at the mine, through to plant operation
and maintenance, transport of mined products, ship loading, and finally through
to mineral processing and other downstream value-adding. There are barriers to
leveraging supplier's capabilities which have to be overcome before the industry
will gain the potential benefits from such supplier
engagement.