The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) is a global industry association that promotes sustainable development and responsible mining practices among its member companies in the mining and metals sector.
What has changed in mining since the foundation of the ICMM, 22 years ago?
I would say that two main things have changed in that period. The first thing is that mining has gone from being in the background of people's consciousness to something that is now very much front and center of most people's minds. Governments are, for the first time in this generation, making the connection between the resources we extract from the earth and the products we use daily. This awareness shift is significant because, for the last 8,000 years, people have been using metals and minerals for all sorts of applications, from plumbing and electrical wiring to renewable energy technologies. However, it is only in the past three to five years that most people have started to think about this more actively.
The second major change is the collective global awakening regarding the scale of our sustainability challenges and the intense action required from everyone, including large businesses, to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. For the mining industry, this presents unique risks and opportunities to contribute to these goals while recognizing our part in creating some of these problems. While the scale of challenges, such as climate and nature crises has grown, the industry's ability to meet these challenges and provide solutions has also increased. However, we must also acknowledge the significant consequences of mining failures, such as tailings dam collapses, cultural heritage destruction, and ecological contamination, which highlight the critical need for responsible mining practices.
Has the reputation of mining improved over the last few years?
No, I would not say so, and that really concerns me. It is not just my impression - the data supports this. For instance, GlobeScan, an independent public analysis company, has been surveying people across 30 countries for 20 years, asking them to rank sectors based on their societal responsibilities. In the most recent survey, mining ranked last behind even the oil and gas sector. Mining has consistently been at the bottom of this list, which indicates that the industry's reputation has not improved in two decades.
Despite this, there is a growing understanding that the mining industry is not homogenous; it includes both responsible and irresponsible players. The impacts of good versus bad practices in mining are much more visible and significant compared to other sectors. While the negative perception persists, it is important to recognize that some companies are going above and beyond their legal obligations, particularly those that are members of ICMM. These companies lead the industry, and in many cases, set the benchmark for the industry.
If we assume that the industry has improved, what explains that persisting negative image?
The most important reason is the lack of a simple, clear, and broadly accepted standard for responsible mining. Unlike other products with recognizable certifications, mining lacks a global standard that people can trust. Many different standards exist, including the ICMM Mining Principles, but this multitude creates confusion and undermines trust. To address this, ICMM is working to consolidate our Mining Principles with three other major standards: the Copper Mark, the World Gold Council's Responsible Gold Mining Principles, and the Mining Association of Canada's Towards Sustainable Mining Program.
We are one year into this process, and we aim to have a consolidated Standard that will be accessible to any company with a commitment to mine responsibly. This Standard will be governed by an independent multi-stakeholder board with a clear assurance process, offering a reliable benchmark for responsible mining. This initiative, called the Consolidated Mining Standards Initiative (CMSI), aims to enhance public confidence in responsible mining practices and support broader understanding of the industry's commitment to sustainability.
What explains the difficulty of attracting young talent to the mining industry?
There are several reasons why attracting young people to the mining industry is challenging, but this varies across different parts of the world. In developed countries like Australia, Canada, the US, Europe, and the UK, we see a decline in people enrolling in mining degrees and fewer universities offering these programs. For example, the UK had no undergraduate mining degree until recently. Universities have stopped offering these degrees due to a lack of demand. However, this is not the case everywhere. In Chile, for instance, young graduates often prefer to work for mining companies. Similarly, in South Africa, working in the mining industry is a source of pride.
This variation highlights that the talent shortage is not universal but localized. Immigration policies also play a significant role, limiting the mobility of skilled workers from the global south, who are often people of color, to the global north, where there is a perceived talent crisis. Additionally, urbanization makes remote mining locations less attractive to young people who prefer city life. Moreover, the mining industry's culture has not been welcoming to underrepresented groups, particularly women and ethnic minorities. Ensuring physical and psychological safety and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial for attracting talent. The industry must create a welcoming environment where everyone feels safe and valued, which is still a work in progress.
The ICMM prides itself as the first group of companies in any industry to have adopted certain environmental initiatives. Tell us more about some of these.
One of the earliest commitments ICMM members made in 2002 was not to mine or operate in World Heritage Sites, recognizing their need for special protection. This commitment is voluntary and unique among industries. In 2014, we were among the first to support a carbon price, believing in a world where carbon is priced to reflect its societal impact. In 2021, we collectively committed to achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050 or sooner and to proactively report on Scope 3 emissions, a pioneering move for our industry. Transparency is another area where we have led, with members committing to disclose contracts with governments from 2021.
Recently, we launched our new membership commitments to support a nature positive future. This commitment involves not mining in World Heritage Sites, ensuring no net loss of biodiversity at closure against a 2020 baseline, working with our value chain to minimize environmental impacts, partnering with others in the landscape to enhance conservation efforts, and advocating for an economic system that values nature. For instance, we have supported the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which aims to integrate nature into financial decision-making. These initiatives showcase our leadership in addressing key societal issues, and we believe that consistent leadership and transparency will help improve the sector's reputation.
What are the requirements for a company to become your member?
To become a member of ICMM, companies must demonstrate adherence to our stringent Mining Principles, covering areas such as tailings management, climate and nature, human rights, and health and safety. The process involves an independent evaluation by a panel of academics and experts who compare the company's performance against our Principles. The vast majority of applicants do not meet these requirements and thus are not eligible for membership. This rigorous process ensures that only companies committed to high standards and leadership in sustainability join our ranks. This is not to be elitist or claim that we are better than others, but simply to be clear about our non-negotiable commitment to responsible mining.
While our membership predominantly consists of Western companies, we acknowledge the need for greater inclusion of companies from other parts of the world and we hope to see many applicants from the global South in future.
