Differentiated social risk: Rebound dynamics and sustainability performance in mining

This article examines the application of social risk in the global mining industry. The current approach to social risk conflates risk to people and risk to projects. We argue that differentiation is needed to determine the respective attributes of both risk types and to understand how and where they interact. Establishing a clear understanding about where a risk is directed is important from multiple vantage points: due diligence, risk and liability management and social protections. A key contribution in this article is the demonstration of 'rebound dynamics' surrounding social risk. The authors argue that social risks can generate impacts across a range of institutions, boundaries and factors. Understanding the workings of social risk in this dynamic space is critical for ensuring that the industry addresses social harm as part of its commitments to sustainable development. •The current approach to social risk conflates risk to people and risk to projects.•The authors clear up this conceptual problem by differentiating risk types.•Risk types are separated in order to explore the interaction between them.•Rebound dynamics show how risk types can influence and affect one another.