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Analysis of institutional authors

Fernández-Hernández M.AuthorOrtega M.f.AuthorCabello, Juan PousAuthor

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February 3, 2025
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Development of a comprehensive sustainability index for extractive and mining companies: Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals

Publicated to:Heliyon. 11 (2): e41975- - 2025-01-01 11(2), DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41975

Authors: Fernández-Hernández M; Mora P; Ortega MF; Cabello JP

Affiliations

Departamento de Ingeniería Geológica y Minera; Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía; Universidad Politécnica de Madrid; C/ Alenza 4; Madrid; 28003; Spain; Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Proyectos; Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros - Author
Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía; Universidad Politécnica de Madrid; C/ Alenza 4; Madrid; 28003; Spain - Author

Abstract

Sustainability in the extractive and mining industry has become a key global concern, necessitating alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research introduces an innovative, scientific index-based assessment methodology designed to quantify the contribution of companies in these sectors to the SDGs. The methodology leverages a metric index scoring system to evaluate and enhance their sustainability performance. The methodology involves scoring a series of parameters associated with each SDG, resulting in individual indices that are rescaled for comparability. This comprehensive approach also integrates environmental, social, and economic factors. The practical application of this index is critical, providing a step-by-step guide for extractive and mining companies to adopt and utilize the sustainability index, aiding in compliance with future regulations. The results of this study show that the system of SDGs, targets, aspects, and metrics is naturally weighted towards social issues. It has also been observed that the SDG system, with respect to the targets, is not balanced. This same heterogeneous behavior occurs for aspects. This implies that the system is naturally weighted, which directly affects the comparison of contribution. The proposed methodology provides a process of normalization of indices that avoids this natural weighting, allowing the comparison of results. This study advances a comprehensive methodology for evaluating extractive companies' contributions to the SDGs, incorporating multiple dimensions and expert opinions, and its adaptability allows for continuous improvement by incorporating new parameters. The Susceptibility Index helps management assess contributions on a scale of 0–10, facilitating ongoing improvements and anticipating regulatory changes. This research enhances the assessment of extractive companies' SDG performance, promoting responsible practices. The open-access nature of the methodology enables any organization to conduct a sustainability analysis, fostering transparency and collaboration. © 2025

Keywords

Extractive industrySustainabilitySustainability indexSustainable development goals

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Heliyon due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 29/135, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Multidisciplinary Sciences.

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-22:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 33 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (FERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ, MARTA) and Last Author (Cabello J.P.).