Empirical analysis of solutions for metal ore mining sustainability

This study investigates the long-term sustainability of the metal ore mining industry in 16 ASEAN+6 countries participating in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) during the period from 2005 to 2020. It focuses on the impact of various factors, including government spending on public education, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), inflation rates, green energy resilience, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The empirical model employed logarithmic transformations and the ARDL approach to analyze the data. The results reveal that increased public education spending leads to a reduction in energy intensity within the metal ore mining sector, with more pronounced effects observed in the long term. FDI has a positive influence on energy intensity in both the short and long term, reflecting a complex relationship. Inflation rates impact energy intensity due to short-term cost pressures and long-term sustainability considerations. Green energy resilience is associated with reduced energy intensity, driven by immediate efficiency gains and long-term sustainability. However, there is a concerning link between CO2 emissions and higher energy intensity in the industry, attributed to energy-intensive processes, resource extraction, regulatory limitations, economic growth, and sustainability requirements. To enhance industry sustainability in CEPEA economies, a comprehensive policy framework is recommended, emphasizing principles of the circular economy, stringent green corporate management systems, promotion of green FDI, education for sustainable development, and the utilization of big data and artificial intelligence to reduce energy intensity.