Stakeholder Newsletter: August, 2022
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I've just returned from visiting Vale’s iron ore operations in the Amazon and wanted to share with you the impact of responsible mining on the world's most important ecosystem.
I know what you’re thinking: “A mine in the Amazon?! Surely a disaster!” In fact, it is an incredible conservation success story.
The Carajas mine is the world’s largest iron ore mine in the world. I’m told you can even see it from space.
It is located within the Carajas National Forest and although the mining concession is nearly a million hectares, Vale’s operations use only 2% of the land. The rest are protected by Vale in partnership with Indigenous communities and the government of Brazil.
The result? An island of pristine, thriving forest in a sea of deforestation.
You can read more about what our members are doing on nature in this blog. As with any sustainability issue we tackle, our industry aim is to continuously push to go further and faster to help a thriving natural environment as the standard. Stay tuned for updates on our work on nature in the lead up to COP15 in December and beyond.
I also had the opportunity to visit the site of the tragic 2019 tailings disaster in Brumadinho. It brought home how important collective action is, in the form of the Global Tailings Standard, in improving how mine waste is managed around the world. Aidan Davy, ICMM’s COO, and I, reflect on progress with the implementation of the Standard and why we can’t afford to lose focus here.
Finally, the ICMM team will be attending and speaking at various events in the next few months, talking all things related to Mining with Principles. You can find out more about these events below, and we hope to see you there.
Warmly,
Ro
Features
Blog: Lessons From Disaster - Mining's Journey to a Safer Future
In January 2019, a dam retaining mine waste failed, releasing 9 million cubic metres of tailings killing 270 people in the town of Brumadinho, Brazil. This tragic incident was a catalyst for action for the industry. After Brumadinho, ICMM together with UNEP and PRI convened the Global Tailings Review, which established the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management
In this blog, Rohitesh Dhawan and ICMM COO Aidan Davy, write about how the industry can catalyse change on managing tailings mine waste. Read more here.
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Blog: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples - Six Ways the Mining Industry is Celebrating Indigenous Peoples
At ICMM, we observed International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples by reflecting on how the mining and metals industry is working to better understand and respect the distinct rights, interests, and cultures of Indigenous, Aboriginal or First Nations Peoples.
In this blog, Director of Social Performance Danielle Martin looks at ways our members are working with Indigenous communities. Read more here.
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Blog: Six Ways ICMM Members are Pioneering Environmental Good Practice
Climate change, nature loss and water scarcity are interlinked challenges that are affecting people across the world. As stewards of the minerals and metals critical for decarbonisation and sustainable development, ICMM members have a responsibility to lead from the front and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and a low carbon future.
In this blog, Director of Environment Hayley Zipp shares just some of the ways ICMM members are using innovative approaches and working in partnership to protect and restore nature in and around mining sites. Read more here.
Upcoming Events
MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative - Conference on Mining, Environment and Society
Virtual • 8 September 15:00 - 16:00 (BST) / 10:00 - 11:00 (ET)
Rohitesh Dhawan and Professor Deanna Kemp will jointly deliver a keynote session, alongside panel discussion and a Q&A on Day 2 of the conference, titled: “Standards and regulations: Are they enough?” Register here.
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EXPOSIBRAM
Belo Horizonte, Brazil • 12-15 September
ICMM’s Danielle Martin and Aidan Davy will discuss industry progress and challenges on climate change, tailings, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Register here.
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PERUMIN
Arequipa, Peru • 26-30 September
Rohitesh Dhawan will be sharing ICMM’s approach to Mining with Principles at the CEO Summit, whilst Christian Spano will be at the Technology Innovation and Sustainability Forum, discussing the industry’s progress and challenges on the reduction of carbon emissions in mining, and Senior Programme Officer Tabatha Chavez Matus will discuss globla solutions to sustainable water management in the industry. Register here.
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Reuters Events: Industry Transition 2022
San Diego, USA • 28-29 September
Christian Spano will discuss how supply chain collaboration, such as ICMM’s Innovation for Cleaner, Safer Vehicles initiative, can lead the hard to abate sectors through the next frontier of climate action. Register here.
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FT Commodities Mining Summit
Mandarin Oriental, London, and virtually • 20-21 October
The shift to a low carbon economy will not happen without mining, but at current levels of investment, the world will not be able to produce the huge amount of metals and minerals needed to hit the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change. For that to change, investors and policymakers will have to engage with the industry, which will need to show that it can mine sustainably by driving down carbon emissions, water usage and making a positive contribution to society. Rohitesh Dhawan will join key stakeholders and Council Members in the discussion.
Use the code ‘ICMM’ to receive a 20% discount. Register here.
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