The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) last week committed its members to implementing the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Speaking at the UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights, ICMM CE Tom Butler announced the industry body’s new performance expectations that would “define what mining with principles looks like in practice”, by setting a benchmark for the industry’s environmental and social performance.
The performance expectations, which would apply to all ICMM members, were developed with extensive input from nongovernmental organisations, international organisations and academics.
“The ICMM’s council of 27 CEOs have shown real leadership in being the first industry body to commit to implementing the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
“Importantly, other companies will also be able to publicly commit to our performance expectations and I hope this will lead the broader industry to further improve its social and environmental performance,” stated Butler.
The ICMM is developing guidance on how members validate performance expectations at asset level, including through independent third-party assessments.