Stakeholder newsletter: October 2023

20 November 2023

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Dear friends,

Last week we held our Responsible Mining Leadership Forum in London, bringing together our members and key stakeholders to discuss the issues that matter most to society. The theme this year was trust, a challenge perhaps as old as mining itself. The energy transition is a unique moment in time to reset mining’s relationship with society, but to do so requires a strong understanding of what it takes for any industry and its constituent parts to be seen as trustworthy, and why past attempts at building trust have not fully succeeded.

I’m not exactly sure how or why, but it felt like the Forum marked a turning point in having conversations we need to be having. They were honest and at times uncomfortably so, and we hope this sets us on a path to building the shared future of the industry we can all get behind.

Take a look at just some of the highlights below.

The value of our actions in support of people and the planet was brought into stark relief during a recent visit to Brazil and the Amazon, where I participated in EXPOSIBRAM, The Amazon and New Economies Conference and visited Norsk Hydro’s Paragominas mine.

Covering 1 per cent of the Earth’s surface, the Amazon is home to 10 per cent of all wildlife species and 47 million people, including 2.2 million Indigenous People.

Despite its vibrancy, it is clear that the Amazon is reaching a tipping point – and, let’s be clear, irresponsible mining is a big reason for that. I am hopeful, however, for the future. I was able to see first-hand how members are embracing their potential to influence local environments in a positive way.

I left with confidence that done responsibly, the mining and metals industry can be a force for good in Brazil, and in the Amazon in particular where 60% of the rainforest sits. Here’s a photo diary from the trip.

The Amazon is just one of many jurisdictions that can benefit from responsible mining. I’m pleased to say that the ICMM family was joined last week by two new association members. The insights and experiences of the Association for Mines, Mineral and Metal Producers in Sweden (Svemin) and the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises (AMME) will prove invaluable in our efforts to share leadership and good practice with the wider industry.

Finally, I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to share the opening remarks at the Financial Times Mining Summit. I cheekily suggested that they could rebrand to the ‘MT’, as we are living the Mining Times. I’m not sure they’ll take me up on that suggestion, but you can read my three key global trends shaping the mining industry here.

Speaking of events, we have an exciting calendar of upcoming events that you can explore here, or in our events section below.

Warmly,
Ro

Features

Brazil: Nature and Mining - A Photo Diary

Despite its vibrancy, it is clear that the Amazon is reaching a tipping point. Illegal and irresponsible mining, logging and farming could destroy what precious little is left, with devastating consequences for people and nature.

In this photo diary, Rohitesh Dhawan writes about how his visit to the rainforest seeded within him hope that done responsibly, the mining and metals industry can be a force for good in Brazil, and in the Amazon in particular where 60% of the rainforest sits.

Upcoming Events

SAIMM Conference: Next Generation Tailings – Opportunity Or Risk?
Johannesburg, South Africa & Virtual • 24 – 25 October

Tabatha Chavez Matus will be giving a key note presentation at the SAIMM Conference on next generation tailings, presenting on ICMM's tailings portfolio, innovations, and management strategies. Register here.

IMARC
Sydney, Australia • 31 – 2 November

Ro Dhawan and Danielle Martin will be speaking at IMARC on achieving trust in the industry, creating social value and environmental resilience, and developing better Indigenous partnerships. Register here.

Resourcing Tomorrow
London, U.K. • 28 – 30 November

The ICMM team will be speaking at Resourcing Tomorrow, with Ro Dhawan giving a keynote speech. Register here.

COP28
Dubai, UAE • 30 November – 12 December

The ICMM team will be at COP28 in Dubai, taking part in the conversation on how we can effectively tackle the global challenge of climate change. Will you be there? Let us know by replying to this email or get involved here.

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