4. Risk Management

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Implement effective risk-management strategies and systems based on sound science, and which account for stakeholder perceptions of risk.

Societal expectations of the mining industry encompass a broad range of environmental, social and governance challenges.

Aidan Davy

Through appropriate risk-management strategies and systems, mining and metals operations can manage environmental, social and governance impacts and define opportunities. ICMM members commit to implement effective risk-management strategies to protect people and planet.

The performance expectations

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Developed with extensive input from NGOs, international organisations and academics, our Mining Principles establish baseline performance expectations for a responsible mining and metals industry. These four requirements define ICMM's risk management performance expectations of company members.

  • 4.1: Assess environmental and social risks

    Assess environmental and social risks and opportunities of new projects and of significant changes to existing operations in consultation with interested and affected stakeholders, and publicly disclose assessment results.[1]

  • 4.2: Apply due-diligence in conflict-affected or high-risk areas

    Undertake risk-based due diligence on conflict and human rights that aligns with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance on Conflict-Affected and High Risk Areas, when operating in, or sourcing from, a conflict-affected or high risk area.

  • 4.3: Systematically manage health, safety and environmental risks

    Implement risk-based controls to avoid/prevent, minimise, mitigate and/or remedy health, safety and environmental impacts to workers, local communities, cultural heritage and the natural environment, based upon a recognised international standard or management system.

  • 4.4: Carry out emergency response planning

    Develop, maintain and test emergency response plans. Where risks to external stakeholders are significant, this should be in collaboration with potentially affected stakeholders and consistent with established industry good practice.

About ICMM's Mining Principles

ICMM’s Mining Principles strengthen social and environmental requirements, on issues such as labour rights, resettlement, gender, access to grievance mechanisms, mine closure, pollution and waste. Watch our film to learn more.

1. These should cover issues such as air, water, biodiversity, noise and vibration, health, safety, human rights, gender, cultural heritage and economic issues. The consultation process should be gender sensitive and inclusive of marginalised and vulnerable groups.