Teaching cleaner and responsible mining through songs

• Mining engineering students must realize that social license to operate is of increasing concern.
• Mining engineering students believe that environmental and social issues are of secondary importance.
• Music has been used for 17 years at the University of British Columbia to teach social and environmental issues in mining.
• Music facilitates open dialogue about the responsibilities of engineers with communities.

This article explores the use of music as a tool through which to teach social and environmental aspects to mining engineering students. Mining engineering students are often exposed to a highly technical learning environment. As a tool, music can facilitate open dialogue between peers about the impacts of the industry. This methodology has been used for more than 15 years at the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of British Colombia, and has provided a benchmark in the education of future mining leaders. The faculty's Mining and Environment, and Mining and Society courses cover social and environmental issues related to mining that range from detailed aquatic chemistry, to concepts of sustainable development and poverty alleviation in developing countries. A different song is introduced every week to highlight the lessons of that week to students. This paper covers five songs that discuss current issues in mining, and the ways in which perception is shaped around these topics. The mining industry needs to respond to these issues, and to do so, students must be aware that focusing on technical aspects alone is not the most well-rounded or efficient way to go about changing perceptions.