Towards cleaner production barriers and

The most pressing environmental problems of post-mining base metals production are solid waste production, gaseous emissions, and a high energy use. Most of the present solutions to clean up the post-mining base metals production can be characterised as incremental, end-of-pipe technologies. This study aims to identify the barriers that impede the implementation of more radical solutions towards cleaner production in the base metals producing industry. It conceptualises the radicalness of technological innovation and presents current base metals production processes, their environmental impact, and cleaner technologies. The analysis reveals that the most significant barriers for radical innovations include the cost of investment, the high risk associated with committing capital to unproven technologies, and the intertwinement of the current production system. To overcome these barriers, the paper proposes firm-internal, inter-firm, and firm-external strategies. This comprehensive approach emphasizes the need for innovative thinking and collaboration across the industry to foster cleaner production practices.