The Arlit Mines: Conclusion on selection of indicators

This module showed you an illustration of the first steps of how to frame a multicriteria assessment, be it to choose beween options of social choice, or for the evaluation of a given activity, infrastructure, etc.

You can refer to the description of the Integraal process (step 1 to 3), as a reminder of a general framework for sustainability assessment. 

The main value-added of this research case relates to the production of indicators, with a blend of top-down and bottom-up process for the identification, evaluation and selection of a set of indicators. Real-life situations often need this type of blend, which can ensure both the recognition by scientific and/or industry community as well as the reflection of preoccupation of all stakeholders at different scales.

Reminder of the indicator selection process

The process described in the central part of this graph is generic, and can be applied to most situation were a set of indicators has to be produced for evaluation.

The items in grey, above and below this central process should be taken as examples of either sources of information, or, in the case of focus groups, of participatory tools for the selection of indicators.

Final word

You can refer to a more detailed explanation of the investigation and selection process in the case of the Arlit mines, by following the "fruit" link on this page. This can provide you more methodological insight on the process of selection and evaluation of candidate indicators. If you are working specifically on mining, this can also provide you with references to sources on indicators in this industry.