Stakeholder Newsletter: August, 2021

There are two things that I feel passionately about. The first is the health of our planet, and the second is the opportunity for everybody to share in its prosperity. If we look at the world through these two lenses, I think you will struggle to find any other sector that has the same potential to make as much of a positive contribution as mining and metals.

To this point, ICMM recently published a report, Social Progress in Mining-Dependent Countries: Analysing the role of resource governance in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that analyses 41 social metrics grouped under 12 relevant SDGs. The report finds that across three quarters of the metrics, there has been significant progress in the socio-economic development of mining-dependent countries.

This is extremely encouraging, but the report also cautions that without strong resource governance and, most critically, effective implementation of mining regulations and frameworks, mining countries are unlikely to realise the full benefits of mining operations. The importance of good governance in building a more sustainable and inclusive future for mining-dependent countries is clear, but so is the central role that the mining and metals industry must play in supporting the effective implementation of frameworks.

To support industry in achieving better social outcomes for people and planet, ICMM has recently published a partnering tool to assist stakeholders in gaining the most out of their partnerships. By actively aligning our resources and investments alongside those of government partners and civil society stakeholders, mining and metals operations can deliver extensive social, environmental and economic benefits that contribute to community resilience both within and beyond value chains.

Beyond these, in this newsletter you’ll find other examples of how ICMM and our members are working to protect the health of our planet and catalyse opportunities for everybody to share in its prosperity. I hope you’ll join me in learning more below.

Ro Dhawan

Features

Register for the Launch of ICMM’s Updated Corporate Water Reporting Guidance

ICMM members commit to implement water stewardship practices that provide for strong and transparent water governance, and effective and efficient water management.

Join us on 25 August 2021 at 2pm BST for the virtual launch of ICMM’s updated Water Reporting: Good Practice Guide. ICMM’s Aidan Davy will moderate a conversation between ACTIAM Responsible Investment Officer Nadja Franssen, WWF Global Water Stewardship Lead Alexis Morgan, and Newmont Group Executive for Environment Briana Gunn. The moderated discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A. You can register for the event here.

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Unleashing the Power of Mining as a Transformational Partner in Development

The economic, social and environmental impact of mining, combined with the size and length of its investments, mean that the industry has great potential to be a positive and transformational partner. By actively aligning resources and investments with those of others, mining can deliver extensive social, environmental and economic benefits. Recognising this, ICMM’s newly published resource: Partnering for our Common Future: Optimising Mining’s Partnering Capability to Contribute to Community Resilience and Thriving Societies supports companies in optimising partnerships.

Bringing together the The Partnering Initiative’s (TPI) cutting-edge thinking and ICMM’s experience and leadership, the tool helps companies consider their current state and how it might be improved. Read more about this work in a joint blog on the power of partnerships by ICMM’s Nicky Black and TPI’s Darian Stibbe.

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Skills Initiative: Framing Mining’s Future of Work and Community Resilience

ICMM’s latest research indicates that the real skills challenge is not about technology for operating mines with greater efficiency, safety and productivity. It’s about the human skills that are required to secure and maintain societal acceptance in a technology-enabled era.

Framing Mining’s Future of Work and Community Resilience is the first in a series of issues briefs ICMM has developed in partnership with Palladium. This work forms the basis of ICMM’s Skills for our Common Future initiative, which is a 15-year ambition that aims to catalyse the building of skills to support host communities in becoming more  resilient, better able to participate in economic opportunities and to navigate and prosper through change. ICMM’s Danielle Martin and Palladium’s Will Upshur reflect on these findings and what this means for the mining industry in a joint blog.

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Governance Matters

To mark the launch of ICMM’s new Social Progress in Mining-Dependent Countries report, we invited leaders from industry and civil society to discuss the role of good governance in delivering social progress. The report’s key message is that governance matters, with our research strongly suggesting that the higher the quality of governance, the stronger the socio-economic progress observed in mining-dependent countries.

In case you missed the webinar, you can find a recording here. Ro Dhawan and EITI Executive Director Mark Robinson also blogged about how to unlock social progress for millions of people around the world.

Tailings in Focus

It has been a year since the launch of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, and we are working hard to ensure continual improvement in the safe and transparent management of tailings facilities. Check out our new tailings resources – Conformance Protocols and Tailings Management: Good Practice Guide, that support industry with implementing the Standard and improving tailings management. To mark the anniversary, we have also developed a factsheet on our tailings work streams and commitments, to show how ICMM is continuing to drive progress.

In Conversation with ICMM

300+ vehicle fleets assessed as part of ICMM’s Cleaner, Safer Vehicles Initiative

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Leadership Matters

Ro Dhawan has been speaking with Highgrade Media’s Åsa Borssén on leadership and Critical Resources’ Daniel Litvin on the importance of leadership through collaboration. He raises the idea that viewing sustainability through the lens of ESG alone has serious limitations. Instead, approaching sustainability through the lens of the SDGs allows us to bring risks and benefits together in one conversation.

Up-Coming Events

In the coming months, ICMM will also be taking part in a number of online forums alongside government, civil society, business, academia, the investor community and the wider mining industry.

Mine Closure Conference
17–19 August 2021.

ICMM closure lead Dawn Brock will be presenting on reducing company risks and liabilities by integrating closure into business decision-making processes, while ICMM COO Aidan Davy will be giving a keynote on the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management. Find out more and register here.

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IUCN World Conservation Congress
3–11 September 2021.

Ro Dhawan will be participating in the closing plenary alongside leaders from diverse backgrounds, including France’s Secretary of State for Biodiversity Bérangère Abba. The session will discuss what is needed to balance divergent resource demands with the need to enhance the stewardship of natural ecosystems, and how the traditions and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities can be used to restore pathways for sustainability. Find out more and register here.

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FT Mining Summit: Enabling the energy transition
7–8 October 2021.

The industry has a key part to play in tackling climate change by providing the metals and minerals that will be needed in ever greater quantities in the energy transition. ICMM’s Ro Dhawan and Aidan Davy will be speaking alongside key industry stakeholders and several Council members including ICMM’s Chair Richard Adkerson at the FT’s Mining Summit. For a preferential rate on a Professional Pass, register here.

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IMARC Annual Conference
25–27 October 2021.

Ro Dhawan will give a keynote on ‘ESG Forces Shaping the Mining Industry’ whilst Nicky Black will discuss how the industry can improve its social performance, and Aidan Davy will talk about innovation and technology, focusing on collaborations with original equipment manufacturers. Find out more and register here.