Stakeholder Newsletter: May 2023

30 May 2023

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Dear friends,

With the demand for metals and minerals critical to the energy transition set to increase dramatically, having strong human rights policies and processes in place are essential in making that transition just and fair.

Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

Since the endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) we have undoubtably seen an improvement in how companies are managing human rights due diligence. But violations have occurred with unacceptable and heart-breaking impacts.

I’m proud that last week, ICMM published updated guidance designed to help mining companies improve how human rights impacts are being managed. The new Human Rights Due Diligence Guidance reflects the evolution of leading practice and regulation that are already driving continuous improvement across our industry. This is must-read guidance that is free to all.

This week, we also announced new research collaborations with the Columbia Center on Sustainability Investment (CCSI), the Enel Foundation and Circle Economy that aim to accelerate a global circular economy.

Change begins with us, but we won’t see quick enough progress if we work alone. Please help us by sharing our work far and wide, within the mining industry and beyond.

Warmly,

Features

ICMM publishes Updated Guidance to Support the Mining Industry to Proactively Manage Human Rights Impacts

ICMM has published updated Guidance to help companies better integrate human rights into their existing risk management approaches, in-line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

The Guidance provides a set of tools that support companies in putting robust policies and processes in place to assess actual and potential human rights impacts, act upon the findings, track responses, and transparently communicate how impacts have been addressed.

This Guidance is an important resource for the whole industry, no matter the size or location of your company. Read more about the freely available Guidance here, and find out about ICMM’s Human Rights work in our fact sheet.

Collaboration is key to creating a global circular economy

Today marks the start of the World Circular Economy Forum in Helsinki. Last week we announced new research collaborations with the Columbia Center on Sustainability Investment (CCSI), the Enel Foundation and Circle Economy. Minerals and metals are at the heart of a just energy transition and these partnerships will help us to investigate the role of our sector in accelerating a global circular economy that contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims of the Paris Agreement.

On the collaborations, Silvia Burgos, Senior Researcher at the Enel Foundation said: “By partnering at mine sites and along materials value chains, there is an opportunity for companies to accelerate and scale up solutions to increase the value that they can deliver in terms of social and environmental progress combined with economic growth.”

Bryony Clear Hill has also shared analysis of how a just circular economy is made up of multiple circles rather than just one in her new blog. And Christian Spano joined sustainability news website edie on their Sustainability Uncovered Podcast to discuss therole of mining and metals in meeting global demand for raw materials.

There is no single solution for vehicle safety

Safe ways of working are built shift by shift, day by day, and over time.

Published on World Day for Safety and Health at Work, read our latest article by Health and Safety Manager Michael Duvenhage on how ICMM members are working to improve mining vehicle safety on their sites.

Upcoming Events

The Economist Impact 3rd Sustainability Week US
Washington D.C., USA, and virtual • 1 June, 15:55 – 16:35 (EDT)

Critical minerals are rising on the agenda of governments eager to secure the supplies needed for a transition to a lower-carbon economy. It is estimated that the world in 2040 will likely need four times as many critical minerals for clean-energy technologies as it does today. Rohitesh Dhawan will join Freeport McMoran’s Kathleen Quirk and the US Department of State’s Helaina Matza to discuss how partnerships and collaboration can ensure that sustainability remains central in the rush for security of supply. Register here.

World Circular Economy Forum 2023
Helsinki, Finland • 31 May – 2 June

The ICMM team will be in Helsinki for the World Circular Economy Forum discussing mining in a circular economy and hosting two accelerator sessions on ‘Collaborative Strategies for Circular Minerals Sourcing to Accelerate a Low-Carbon Energy Future’ and ‘Imagining the metals value chains of the future’. Find further details on how to register here.

Circularity23
Seattle, USA • 7 June, 09:00 - 11:30 (PDT)

With record setting demand, we face domestic and global supply shortages for rare earth elements and precious metals, yet e-waste continues to fill landfills or lay abandoned in desk drawers. ICMM’s Bryony Clear Hill, will join a level-setting conversation about the current state of the critical mineral supply chain and challenges to scaling up e-waste recycling efforts and where we go from here. Register here.

ClientEarth Annual Summit
Virtual & London, UK • 6 June, 10:30 (BST)

Director of Environment Hayley Zipp will join ClientEarth’s Annual Summit to discuss how we can mine the rare earth minerals needed to clean up our energy systems without destroying the planet. Register here.

EITI Global Conference
Dakar, Senegal • 12 – 14 June

The ICMM team will be in Dakar for the EITI Global Conference todiscuss resource transparency and what a more accountable and open resource sector looks like. Register for the event here.

4th OECD Meeting of Mining Regions and Cities
Karratha, Western Australia • 22 June, 15:45 – 16:45 (AWST)

Inclusivity is critical in attracting talent of the future. Companies that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive are shown to be better able to respond to challenges and generate better business outcomes. ICMM’s Amber Rowntree will be speaking about diversity in the mining industry and what the industry can do to attract more women and youth. Register here.

MOVE 2023
London, U.K. • 21 June, 14:10 (BST)

Bryony Clear Hill will be speaking on circularity in mining and whether it is the key to meeting demand for EV materials as the EV revolution takes hold and the demand for metals skyrockets. Register here.

26th World Mining Congress (WMC)
Brisbane, Australia • 26 - 29 June

The ICMM team will be at the 26th World Mining Congress in Brisbane discussing what resourcing tomorrow and creating value for society can look like through themes such as sustainability, diversity, and innovation. Among ICMM’s participation, Rohitesh Dhawan will be giving akeynote address at the opening plenary session. Register here.

Inaugural London Indaba
Virtual & London, U.K. • 27 June, 09:15 – 09:45 (BST)

Rohitesh Dhawan will be in conversation with London Indaba Chair Bernard Swanepoel discussing whether mining can turn the energy transition into an economic transition for Africa and how responsible mining can write a new and different chapter in Africa's development. Register here.

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