Academic journal articles
Zhang, C., Nouvel Zurcher, C., Monfort Climent, D., & Young, S. B. (2026). Mapping voluntary sustainability standard systems in the mining, minerals, and metals sectors. Resources Policy, 116, 105922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2026.105922
Conference presentations
Zargarnezhad, H., Cimprich, A., Asselin, E., Tandoh, O., & Young, S. B. (2026). Using process simulation to improve life cycle assessment: A demonstration for special high grade zinc production [Conference abstract]. International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST) Rochester, USA. June 2026.
Zhang, C., Lin, Z., Cao, Z., & Young, S. B. (2026, June 24–26). Evaluating the effectiveness of voluntary sustainability standards at midstream pinch points: Institutional and informational constraints in global mineral supply chains [Conference paper]. World Mining Congress 2026, Lima, Peru. https://wmc2026.org/
Invited presentations
Young SB (2024). Sustainability standards for industrial materials. Presentation to the AMIR masters program, University of Bordeaux. 7 October 2024. PDF.
Young SB (2024). Sustainability standards for steel. Presentation to the Canadian Steel Producers Association, 13 June 2024. PDF.
Background publications – theses and pervious academic articles and industry reports
McGlade-Bouchard, C. (2023). Assessing the Legitimacy of Sustainability Standard Programs in the Mining and Minerals Sector [Master Thesis, University of Waterloo]. https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/19446
Mathew, B. T. (2020). Attributes of Commodity Supply Chains: Feasibility of Blockchain Technology for Responsible Sourcing [Masters thesis, University of Waterloo]. https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/16004
Young, S. B., Fernandes, S., & Wood, M. O. (2019). Jumping the Chain: How Downstream Manufacturers Engage with Deep Suppliers of Conflict Minerals. Resources, 8(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8010026
Fernandes, S. (2018). Deep Supply-Chain Engagement in Conflict Minerals [Master’s thesis, University of Waterloo]. https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/13412
Achebe, J. (2016). Substance Flow Analysis of Tantalum: Tracking the Conflict-Free Path [Masters thesis, University of Waterloo]. https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/10582
Na, Y. (2016). Corporate Social Performance of Firms in Conflict Mineral Global Supply Chains [Masters thesis, University of Waterloo]. https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/11041
Nlandu Bayekula, J.-O. (2016). Tracing Conflict Minerals in the Great Lakes Region of Africa: Drivers, Barriers and Opportunities [University of Waterloo]. https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/11120
Young, S. B. (2015). Responsible sourcing of metals: Certification approaches for conflict minerals and conflict-free metals. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-015-0932-5
Young, S. B., Zhe, Y., & Dias, G. (2014). Prospects for sustainability certification of metals. Metallurgical Research & Technology, 111(3), 131–136. https://doi.org/10.1051/metal/2014008
Young, S. B., & Dias, G. (2012). Conflict-free minerals supply-chain to electronics. Electronics Goes Green 2012+ Conference (EGG), 2012, 1–5. PDF
Young, S. B., & Dias, G. (2011). LCM of Metals Supply to Electronics: Tracking and Tracing’Conflict Minerals’. Available at SSRN 1875976.
Young, S. B., Fonseca, A., & Dias, G. (2010). Principles for responsible metals supply to electronics. Social Responsibility Journal, 6(1), 126–142. https://doi.org/10.1108/17471111011024595
Young, SB, Dias, G, Fonseca, A, O’Keefe, MS (2008). Social and Environmental Responsibility in Metals Supply to the Electronic Industry. Washington: Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC); and Brussels: Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI). GHGm report. June 20, 2008. PDF