Project activities as a tool for sustainable development of mining companies
A.B. Mottaeva, S.A. Ulyanova, O.V. Astafieva
Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №3/ 2026 p. 172-178
Abstract: In the article, the authors explore the role of project activities in ensuring sustainable economic development of mining companies in the context of global instability and ever toughening environmental requirements. The relevance of the topic is explained by the need to transform traditional approaches to investment management in the mining industry, where long-term investment projects are becoming the main tool for achieving strategic goals. The purpose of the work is to develop a conceptual model for multi–stage evaluation of investment projects in the pre-investment phase. Methods of system analysis and comparative evaluation were applied in the research. It has been revealed that the classical financial performance indicators of projects are insufficient to assess sustainability, and therefore a mechanism for a comprehensive assessment of projects is proposed with account of non-financial indicators. The results of the study showed that introduction of a project office focused on the environmental and social responsibility criteria reduces investment risks and increases the company’s capitalization in the long term. The results obtained can serve as a tool for developing corporate standards for sustainable project management and methodological recommendations for evaluating investment projects in the mining industry.
Keywords: mining industry, mining companies, project management, sustainable development, risk management, project evaluation
For citation: Mottaeva A.B., Ulyanova S.A., Astafieva O.V. Project activities as a tool for sustainable development of mining companies. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(3):172–178. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-3-172-178
Article info
Received: 22.02.2026
Revised: 24.03.2026
Accepted: 10.04.2026
Information about the authors
Angela B. Mottaeva – Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Professor, Department of Strategic and Innovative Development, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8904-4154; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Svetlana A. Ulyanova – Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Departments of General and Project Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0335-5571; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Olga V. Astafieva – Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Departments of General and Project Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6445-4456; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
References
1. Fedotova M.A., Pogodina T.V., Karpova S.V. Assessment of trends and prospects for the development of the Russian economy in the context of sanctions pressure. Finance: Theory and Practice. 2025;29(1):6–19. https://doi.org/10.26794/2587-5671-2025-29-1-6-19
2. Muzalyov S.V., Abdikeev N.M., Obolenskaya L.V. Improving the system of criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of russia’s industrial policy under sanctions pressure. Finance: Theory and Practice. 2025;29(4):6–18. https://doi.org/10.26794/2587-5671-2025-29-4-6-18
3. Krupnov Y.A., Silvestrov S.N. Technological sovereignty and diffusion of technologies. Vestnik Instituta Ekonomiki Rossiyskoy Akademii Nauk. 2024;(2):31–48. https://doi.org/10.52180/2073-6487_2024_2_31_48
4. Molchanov I.N., Molchanova N.P. Strategic planning and spatial development of Russia: problems, institutions. Economics, Taxes & Law. 2023;16(6):60–67. https://doi.org/10.26794/1999-849X-2023-16-6-60-67
5. Mottaeva A.B., Krupnov Yu.A., Mottaeva A.B. Digital platforms as drivers of sustainable economic development for mining companies. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(1):74–82. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-1-74-82
6. Petrov I.V., Shcherbachenko P.S., Tikhomirov A.A. Monitoring the business reputation index of enterprises in the mining industry. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(4):116–121. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-4-116-121
7. Mokryshev I.S. Spatial classification of Russian regions by potential for distributed generation based on renewable energy sources. Economics, Taxes & Law. 2025;18(2):107–118. https://doi.org/10.26794/1999-849X-2025-18-2-107-118
8. Barannikov A.L., Danilina M.V., Donskova L.I. Common trends in introducing ESG-standards in Russia and abroad. Vestnik of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. 2024;(2):172–181. https://doi.org/10.21686/2413-2829-2024-2-172-181
9. Lopatnikov A.N., Rumyantsev A.Yu. Valuation of non-producing mining companies. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2025;10(3):306–316. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2025-06-426
10. Dzholdosheva T.Yu., Mottaeva A.B. The impact of innovative infrastructure elements on the sustainable development of Russia’s nuclear energy industry. Forging and Stamping Production. Material Working by Pressure. 2025;(4):184–192.
11. Gvishiani A.D., Nikitina I.M., Aleshin I.M. Big data as a product of the preparation plant: reality and prospects in the case of coal. Russian Journal of Earth Sciences. 2023;23(3):ES0011. https://doi.org/10.2205/2023ES000862
12. Salikhov V.S. To the problem of the Udokan copper deposit development (Transbaikalia). Transbaikal State University Journal. 2022;28(1):145–149. Available at: https://zabvestnik.com/wp-content/uploads/090222020207-vestnik%20_1_22%20-145-149.pdf (accessed: 22.02.2026).
