The International Council on Mining and Metals' three-year strategy and action plan outlines the key themes and areas that underpin our work priorities, and those of our members.
ICMM delivers programmes and activities that address environmental stewardship, the role of mining and metals in society and human wellbeing. By adopting a collaborative approach with our members, and key external stakeholders, we support the mining and metals industry to raise standards and improve performance.
How we work
Leadership through performance
We demonstrate and promote leading environmental and social practices that will encourage better industry wide performance. Company membership at ICMM follows a rigorous admissions process, and commitment to stringent performance expectations and third-party annual reporting. As a CEO-led organisation our company members are able to respond to evolving societal expectations in a meaningful way; most recently on tailings management and water stewardship.
Listen and engage
ICMM listens to society’s views and expectations of the mining and metals industry to better anticipate and respond to emerging issues, and actively supports continuous engagement with international organisations and leading civil society organisations. In working with the UN, OECD, World Bank, International Maritime Organisation, WWF and Oxfam – among others – we act as a catalyst for change for a safe, fair, and sustainable mining and metals industry.
Enhance understanding
We advocate the values of a responsible and sustainable mining and metals industry, and promote the contributions of responsibly produced minerals and metals to society. We develop toolkits and guidance to enhance take up of industry good practice, and support thought leadership to support debate on the contribution of minerals and metals to modern life, and the tackling of societal challenges.
Shape the policy environment
We bring evidence-based perspectives and considered thought leadership to inform the delivery of policies and standards that support sustainable development outcomes. ICMM is considered the ‘voice of the mining and metals industry’ by organisations as diverse as Dow Jones Sustainability, Carbon Disclosure Project, and GRI. ICMM also supports EITI to drive improvements in governance and revenue transparency, and engages with OECD and IMO to offer insight on regulatory guidance.
Themes connecting our work
These themes are inter-related, mutually reinforcing, and supportive of the industry’s contribution to sustainable development. They encompass ICMM’s 10 principles, and are supported by an integrated and proactive communications approach.
Environmental performance
Mining and metals operations, local communities and others depend on water, land and energy. Securing access to these shared resources increasingly depends on demonstrating responsible stewardship and recognising the needs of local communities, conservation interests and other stakeholders. Leadership also involves committing to being part of the solution to climate change.
The role of mining and metals in society
The industry is essential to help societies develop. Beyond job creation and payment of taxes, responsible companies help promote better governance and enhanced transparency and accountability. Societal recognition of the essential contribution of metals and minerals to modern life, in part, depends on confidence that they are produced responsibly and can be used safely.
Human wellbeing
A responsible mining and metals industry puts people first. It provides safe and healthy work environments that protect against accidents and occupational diseases. It respects the rights of employees and local communities, and contributes to economic and social progress. This requires the meaningful involvement of people in decisions that affect their future.
Key focus areas
Inspiring and enabling leadership
Setting clear performance expectations for the mining and metals industry, sharing our insight and experience on tackling the issues that matter most to society and facilitating partnerships that support the delivery of the sustainable development agenda to:
- Establish ICMM’s Sustainable DevelopmentFramework as a benchmark for responsible mining practices.
- Engage with our stakeholders to understand society’s expectations of the industry, and its role in society.
- Foster collaboration, and facilitate partnerships to solve the collective challenges we face in society.
- Collaborate with associations and other partners to inform external policy debates.
Innovating for the future
Driving a step-change in the way we design, build and operate mines to reduce waste, minimise carbon emissions, improve worker safety, and contribute to the development of local communities through transformative partnerships and innovation to:
- Collaborate with mining equipment manufacturers to trial and implement new technologies to reduce emissions and improve the safety of mobile mining equipment.
- Explore innovative approaches and technologies to minimise and ultimately eliminate tailings waste from the mine life cycle.
- Enable the communities in which we operate to pursue the education, leadership and skills development opportunities that turn natural resources into lasting benefits.
Strengthening operational capacity
Demonstrating and promoting leading environmental and social practices that will enable better industry‐wide performance across areas that society cares deeply about to:
- Contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem management.
- Reduce emissions and enhance resilience to a changing climate.
- Strengthen social performance systems to better deliver community benefits.
- Advance progress towards zero fatalities and on work-related diseases.
- Leave positive environmental and social legacies through integrated approaches.
- Promote stewardship of minerals and metals along the value chain.
- Encourage respect for human rights in security provision.
- Encourage transparent and better governance of natural resources.
- Reduce shared water risks and enhance water security.
Values guiding our work
We have five values that guide our work and how we interact with others.
Care for the safety, health and well-being of workers, contractors, communities and consumers.
Respect for people, the environment and the values of host societies.
Integrity in dealings with employees, communities, governments and others.
Accountable to do what we say we will do and uphold our commitments.
Collaborate as a preferred means of working with others in an open, transparent and inclusive manner.
