ICMM launches publication series on mining’s contribution to sustainable development at Rio+20

(3BL Media) June 18, 2012 - On Saturday June 16 2012, ICMM launched the first in a series of seven publications at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20. The first publication in the series – Mining’s contribution to sustainable development: an overview – provides an introduction to the series and introduces the concept of contribution analysis.

ICMM has commissioned this series to describe mining and metals’ contribution to sustainable development. It seeks to set out some of the more important benefits, costs, risks and responsibilities related to mining and metals in today’s world.   Two more publications in the series - The role of minerals and metals in a low carbon economy and Human rights, social development and the mining and metals industry – will be released during Rio+20 at the Business Action for Sustainable Development Business Day on Tuesday 19 June.   The remaining four in the series will be launched from July to November 2012:   The role of mining in national economies examines the contribution of mining activities in all countries with an overview of the contribution to the global economy. Trends in the mining and metals industry provides a forward looking discussion of trends likely to govern the evolution of the industry over the next decade. In Uses of minerals and metals, a treatment of the current and future contribution of minerals- and metals-based products to sustainable development is offered. Mining and the environment looks at how mining companies are tackling the challenge of achieving a net positive contribution from their activities.   “We are very pleased to share the first publication in the series with participants at Rio+20,” said ICMM President Anthony Hodge. “These publications are intended to stimulate an exchange of ideas leading to the development of innovative ways forward. We hope they will allow the industry and others to more fully examine the contribution of mining and metals to sustainable development.”   ICMM launched the series at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)’s Fair Ideas event. Gold Fields CEO, Nick Holland, represented ICMM on a panel titled Business models for sustainable development. The panel explored a range of approaches to ensuring sustainable development becomes central to business models.   "Soon there will be a lot more demand on business in general, in the mining industry specifically, to disclose more about their business and operations," said Nick Holland. "That is how we get a better governance model - transparency and disclosure, more inclusivity about decisions affecting people."   ICMM will also be co-hosting a session on 17 June titled Reflecting on a decade of mining, minerals and sustainable development. The session will see IIED share the findings of its review on the changes, achievements and challenges in the mining and metals sector over the past ten years since the publication of the landmark report, Breaking New Ground. ICMM will be joined on a panel by CEO of Anglo American Nickel, Walter De Simoni, discussing the progress made in the sector around sustainable development since the report's release.