ICMM publishes updated guidance on handling and resolving community concerns and grievances

London, UK – To coincide with Human Rights Day, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has today published updated guidance: 'Handling and Resolving Local-Level Concerns and Grievances: Human rights in the mining and metals sector' which integrates the eight effectiveness criteria of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

The guidance, which was first published in 2009 and updated this year, also shares good practice on how mining and metals companies should design effective mechanisms to systematically handle and resolve community concerns or grievances, and provides practical tools to support companies with implementation.

ICMM company members recognise the importance of undertaking meaningful stakeholder engagement and commit to implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Tom Butler, CEO at ICMM, said: “Demonstrating transparency and accountability is fundamental to meaningful engagement with host communities. Effective grievance mechanisms are a key part of a company’s responsibility to respect human rights and can benefit both the company and host community by providing channels for resolving issues and building trust. I hope that ICMM’s updated guidance will become an effective tool that responsible companies can use to put this into practice.”

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Notes to editors

The guidance is available here.

About ICMM

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) is an international organisation dedicated to a safe, fair and sustainable mining and metals industry. Bringing together 27 mining and metals companies and 36 regional and commodities associations, we strengthen environmental and social performance. We serve as a catalyst for change; enhancing mining’s contribution to society. Every ICMM member company adheres to our Sustainable Development Framework which includes 10 Principles and 8 Position Statements on issues relating to sustainable development. Once the guidance to validate the performance expectations is complete, members will also be required to implement the performance expectations at the asset level.

Media contact

Kira Scharwey
Senior Communications Officer, ICMM
+44(0)207467 5598
kira.scharwey@icmm.com