10 PRINCIPLES
In May 2003, ICMM’s CEO-led Council committed corporate members to implement and measure their performance against 10 principles.
The principles are based upon the issues identified in the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) project - a two-year consultation process with stakeholders to identify the issues relating to sustainable development in the mining and minerals sector. These issues align almost completely with those identified in the Extractive Industries Review chaired by Dr Emil Salim.
In addition, ICMM undertook a “gap analysis” comparing current standards with relevant conventions and guidelines, for example, the Rio Declaration, the Global Reporting Initiative, the Global Compact, OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, World Bank Operational Guidelines, OECD Convention on Combating Bribery, ILO Conventions 98, 169, 176, and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
Since 2003, ICMM's Council has adopted a number of position statements that give greater clarity to some of the commitments of the 10 Principles.
The 10 principles
01. Implement and maintain ethical business practices and sound systems of corporate governance.
02. Integrate sustainable development considerations within the corporate decision-making process.
03. Uphold fundamental human rights and respect cultures, customs and values in dealings with employees and others who are affected by our activities.
04. Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science.
05. Seek continual improvement of our health and safety performance
06. Seek continual improvement of our environmental performance
07. Contribute to conservation of biodiversity and integrated approaches to land use planning
08. Facilitate and encourage responsible product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of our products
09. Contribute to the social, economic and institutional development of the communities in which we operate
10. Implement effective and transparent engagement, communication and independently verified reporting arrangements with our stakeholders
Principle 01.
Implement and maintain ethical business practices and sound systems of corporate governance.
- Develop and implement company statements of ethical business principles, and practices that management is committed to enforcing.
- Implement policies and practices that seek to prevent bribery and corruption.
- Comply with or exceed the requirements of host-country laws and regulations.
- Work with governments, industry and other stakeholders to achieve appropriate and effective public policy, laws, regulations and procedures that facilitate the mining, minerals and metals sector’s contribution to sustainable development within national sustainable development strategies.
Principle 02.
Integrate sustainable development considerations within the corporate decision-making process.
- Integrate sustainable development principles into company policies and practices.
- Plan, design, operate and close operations in a manner that enhances sustainable development.
- Implement good practice and innovate to improve social, environmental and economic performance while enhancing shareholder value.
- Encourage customers, business partners and suppliers of goods and services to adopt principles and practices that are comparable to our own.
- Provide sustainable development training to ensure adequate competency at all levels among our own employees and those of contractors.
- Support public policies and practices that foster open and competitive markets.
Principle 03.
Uphold fundamental human rights and respect cultures, customs and values in dealings with employees and others who are affected by our activities.
- Ensure fair remuneration and work conditions for all employees and do not use forced, compulsory or child labour.
- Provide for the constructive engagement of employees on matters of mutual concern.
- Implement policies and practices designed to eliminate harassment and unfair discrimination in all aspects of our activities.
- Ensure that all relevant staff, including security personnel, are provided with appropriate cultural and human rights training and guidance.
- Minimise involuntary resettlement, and compensate fairly for adverse effects on the community where they cannot be avoided.
- Respect the culture and heritage of local communities, including indigenous peoples.
Principle 04.
Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science.
- Consult with interested and affected parties in the identification, assessment and management of all significant social, health, safety, environmental and economic impacts associated with our activities.
- Ensure regular review and updating of risk management systems.
- Inform potentially affected parties of significant risks from mining, minerals and metals operations and of the measures that will be taken to manage the potential risks effectively.
- Develop, maintain and test effective emergency response procedures in collaboration with potentially affected parties.
Principle 05.
Seek continual improvement of our health and safety performance
- Implement a management system focused on continual improvement of all aspects of operations that could have a significant impact on the health and safety of our own employees, those of contractors and the communities where we operate.
- Take all practical and reasonable measures to eliminate workplace fatalities, injuries and diseases among our own employees and those of contractors.
- Provide all employees with health and safety training, and require employees of contractors to have undergone such training.
- Implement regular health surveillance and risk-based monitoring of employees.
- Rehabilitate and reintegrate employees into operations following illness or injury, where feasible.
Principle 06.
Seek continual improvement of our environmental performance
- Assess the positive and negative, the direct and indirect, and the cumulative environmental impacts of new projects – from exploration through closure.
- Implement an environmental management system focused on continual improvement to review, prevent, mitigate or ameliorate adverse environmental impacts.
- Rehabilitate land disturbed or occupied by operations in accordance with appropriate post-mining land uses.
- Provide for safe storage and disposal of residual wastes and process residues.
- Design and plan all operations so that adequate resources are available to meet the closure requirements of all operations.
Principle 07.
Contribute to conservation of biodiversity and integrated approaches to land use planning
- Respect legally designated protected areas.
- Disseminate scientific data on and promote practices and experiences in biodiversity assessment and management.
- Support the development and implementation of scientifically sound, inclusive and transparent procedures for integrated approaches to land use planning, biodiversity, conservation and mining
Principle 08.
Facilitate and encourage responsible product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of our products
- Advance understanding of the properties of metals and minerals and their lifecycle effects on human health and the environment.
- Conduct or support research and innovation that promotes the use of products and technologies that are safe and efficient in their use of energy, natural resources and other materials.
- Develop and promote the concept of integrated materials management throughout the metals and minerals value chain.
- Provide regulators and other stakeholders with scientifically sound data and analysis regarding our products and operations as a basis for regulatory decisions.
- Support the development of scientifically sound policies, regulations, product standards and material choice decisions that encourage the safe use of mineral and metal products.
Principle 09.
Contribute to the social, economic and institutional development of the communities in which we operate
- Engage at the earliest practical stage with likely affected parties to discuss and respond to issues and conflicts concerning the management of social impacts.
- Ensure that appropriate systems are in place for ongoing interaction with affected parties, making sure that minorities and other marginalised groups have equitable and culturally appropriate means of engagement.
- Contribute to community development from project development through closure in collaboration with host communities and their representatives.
- Encourage partnerships with governments and non-governmental organisations to ensure that programmes (such as community health, education, local business development) are well designed and effectively delivered.
- Enhance social and economic development by seeking opportunities to address poverty.
Principle 10.
Implement effective and transparent engagement, communication and independently verified reporting arrangements with our stakeholders
- Report on our economic, social and environmental performance and contribution to sustainable development.
- Provide information that is timely, accurate and relevant.
- Engage with and respond to stakeholders through open consultation processes.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
GOOD PRACTICE SITE
A resource for industry practitioners and stakeholders on the implementation of good practice at mining and metals operations around the world.
Go to site
© International Council on Mining and Metals 2009 │Terms and Conditions │Privacy Policy