NEWS
02.07.07
UNEP holds informal dialogue on mercury partnerships
ICMM's John Atherton was invited to take part in an informal stakeholders meeting to discuss future development of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) mercury partnerships program on 25 June.
The meeting was convened in response to the UNEP Governing Council Decision 24/3 which called on UNEP, working in consultation with governments and other stakeholders, to strengthen the mercury partnerships program. The decision calls for an expansion in the program through the development of partnerships with related sectors including non-ferrous metals mining.
The meeting discussed what a successful partnership should look like and how to define the goals in a manner which was both realistic and measurable but would not diminish the aspirations of the program as a whole.
The assessment of current emissions levels, an account of best available techniques for mercury abatement and the definition of environmentally sound management of mercury wastes were all seen by many participants as possible elements for a non-ferrous metals mining partnership.
These elements reflect many of the issues identified in an ICMM statement on mercury issued in February 2007.
UNEP will now prepare proposals for the development of an overarching framework for the mercury partnership program (including a business plan, goals and operational guidelines) to be considered at a meeting of an open-ended working group in November. UNEP's ambition is to develop, in outline, several new partnerships in advance of the November meeting.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Materials Stewardship: Eco-efficiency and Product Policy
Read more
Download PDF
-
GHS: Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
» Download PDF
» Read more -
Maximizing Value: Guidance on implementing materials stewardship in the minerals and metals value chain
» Download PDF
» Read more -
Metals Environmental Risk Assessment Guidance (MERAG)
» Download PDF
» Read more -
Health Risk Assessment Guidance for Metals (HERAG)
» Download PDF
» Read more -
ICMM statement on Mercury
» Download PDF -
ICMM Newsletter: Volume 5 Number 1 - Feb 2006
» Download PDF
RELATED LINKS
- Mitsubishi's "urban mines" - recycling for production
- Water use efficiency at Alcoa's Fusina facility
- Metals associations announce support for SETAC World Congress 2008
- Resource Efficiency and Environment on the agendas of UNEP and OECD in Tokyo
- Southern Africa Reach / GHS seminar
- REACH Metals Gateway is launched
- Guide to use of chemicals in the mining and metals industry
- Workshop briefs industry on risk assessment concepts
- ICMM addresses Cobalt Conference
- Operational plans for risk assessment projects agreed
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Principle 04:
Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science.
© International Council on Mining and Metals 2008. The ICMM logo is a trade mark of the International Council on Mining and Metals. Registered in the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.