The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has enhanced its membership requirements to include validation that the operational performance of its members is in line with expectation.
This takes place at the site level for all members’ assets and is reported on a yearly basis.
ICMM estimated that the mining principles would apply to roughly 650 assets in over 50 countries.
The requirements seek to maximise the industry’s benefits to host communities and minimise negative impacts.
“Mining and metals are critically important to society – as a catalyst for sustainable social and economic progress and as essential materials for the technologies needed to address climate change – but they must be produced responsibly,” ICMM chief operating officer Aidan Davy said.
“Our aim has been to develop a holistic set of requirements that establish a benchmark for responsible mining practices.”
ICMM introduced a set of performance expectations in 2018 for how members are expected to manage sustainability issues.
The resulting principles address issues including labour rights, resettlement, gender, access to grievance mechanisms and mine closure.
ICMM comprises 27 mining and metals companies and 36 associations.