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The Minerals Council and sustainable development
As an associate member of the ICMM, which is dedicated to ensuring a safe, fair, responsible and sustainable global mining industry, the Minerals Council and our members, through the Membership Compact, support the ICMM’s 10 principles for sustainable development in the mining and metals industry.
10 PRINCIPLES
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Apply ethical business practices and sound systems of corporate governance and transparency to support sustainable development.
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Implement effective risk-management strategies and systems based on sound science and which account for stakeholder perceptions of risks.
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Pursue continual improvement in environmental performance issues, such as water stewardship, energy use and climate change.
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Facilitate and support the knowledge-base and systems for responsible design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of products containing metals and minerals. 2
Integrate sustainable development in corporate strategy and decision-making processes.
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Pursue continual improvement in social performance and contribute to the social, economic and institutional development of host countries and communities. 3
Respect human rights and the interests, cultures, customs and values of employees and communities affected by our activities.
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Pursue continual improvement in health and safety performance with the ultimate goal of zero harm.
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Contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and integrated approaches to land-use planning.
10 Proactively engage key stakeholders on sustainable development challenges and opportunities in an open and transparent manner.
Effectively report and independently verify progress and performance.
In addition, the ICMM has developed position statements, that include several mandatory requirements, to augment the ICMM 10 Principles for sustainable development on the following aspects: • mining and protected areas • climate change policy design • mercury risk management • indigenous peoples and mining • transparency of mineral revenues • tailings governance • mining partnerships for development • water stewardship
Human Rights Framework
Towards the end of 2018, the ICMM became the first industry body to commit to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and their implementation, for which new membership requirements have been developed and benchmarks set for the industry’s environmental and social performance. In line with this, the Minerals Council has developed a Human Rights Framework for the South African mining industry. The Minerals Council is currently engaging external stakeholders relating to the content of the Human Rights Framework and assisting our members to understand and internalise its implications.
The Sustainable Development Goals
The ICMM has also endorsed the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals* (SDGs) which are becoming increasingly significant for investors as they represent the world’s most pressing environmental, social and economic issues.
While the Minerals Council does not contribute directly to many of the SDGs, Goal 17 is especially pertinent, given our mission.
Achieving the SDGs depends on strong commitment by all role players to work in partnership and co-operation. For the Minerals Council, Goal 17 is of paramount importance. We work together and in partnership with our members and stakeholders to deliver on the SDGs and their overall aims – particularly in their objectives relating to the National Development Plan.
The remaining 16 SDGs are:
Seriti – Kriel Colliery
Given its role within the economy, the South African mining industry has a crucial role to play in delivering on the SDGs. The Minerals Council already reports indirectly on the mining sector’s contribution to various SDGs such as decent work and economic growth, good health and well-being, responsible consumption and production, climate action, water management and life on land, among others. Regular, more transparent reporting on these goals to our stakeholders will help to build trust, promote accountability and encourage investment in the industry.
* The 17 SDGs were developed to support the United
Nations 2030 Agenda which is aimed at ending poverty and inequality, protecting the planet, and ensuring that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
In South Africa, these goals are supported by the
National Development Plan.
Planned value creation for the South African mining industry and related SDGs
Human capital • Safe mining • Improved employee engagement and communication • Enhanced training and development • Transformation Intellectual capital • Promoting RDI to unlock the full potential of the mining sector and create the mines of tomorrow
Social and relationship capital
• Improved, responsive and responsible stakeholder relationships • Enhanced understanding and awareness of the South African mining industry and the contribution it makes to the economy • Addressing legacy issues Natural capital • Improved resource management to ensure efficient, responsible use of resources and consumption • Responsible environmental stewardship Financial capital • Increased investor confidence, boosting investment in the mining sector • A profitable mining sector Manufactured capital • Improved technology and mining practices (modernisation)
