Comment

Comment, analysis and discussion from the staff at ICMM.

Tailings storage facilities are with us for the long term, but must be responsibly managed

Discarded waste is a by-product of human existence. It provides archaeological insights into our past, but also practical and ethical dilemmas for our present and future, writes ICMM's Aidan Davy.

Comment & analysis

Seven insights to help the mining industry prepare its workforce for the future ↗

Advances in technology and economic uncertainty, exacerbated by Covid-19, are causing disruption to the jobs market, writes ICMM's Nicky Black and WEF's Jörgen Sandström for the World Economic Forum.

Comment & analysis

Global forces shaping the future of mining and how to navigate them ↗

Unpacking the forces influencing the future of the mining industry can help make sense of complexity, writes ICMM's Aidan Davy for the World Economic Forum.

Comment & analysis

Forces Shaping the Future of the Mining Industry

At AusIMM's fifth Life of Mine Conference, ICMM's Aidan Davy offers insights on key issues relating to the industry.

Comment & analysis Presentations

Mining with principles can help end malaria in our lifetime

This blog, written by ICMM Manager for Health and Safety Mark Holmes, has been published on World Malaria Day 2021 to look at the steps our members are taking to address this critical challenge.

Comment & analysis

Resilience is at the heart of participating, enduring and prospering

The mining industry is inextricably linked to the fortunes and futures of the communities that live alongside operations, writes Voconiq's Dr Kieren Moffat and ICMM's Danielle Martin.

Comment & analysis

Equivalency matters

There are points of difference between all mining-related standards, but the focus on improved ESG practices at the operational level is universal, writes ICMM COO Aidan Davy.

Comment & analysis

Building trust with stakeholders through transparency and consistency in water quality reporting ↗

Going beyond water management to proactive and holistic water stewardship requires a comprehensive understanding of the quality of water being managed at a mine site.

Comment & analysis

Drawing on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to give local communities a voice

Respect for human rights is one of ICMM's 10 founding principles and is therefore embedded in all of our members’ strategies for responsible mining.

Comment & analysis

Enhancing mining's contribution to national economies

Natural resources can underpin economic growth and social development when the right governance frameworks are in place writes Dr Nicky Black, Director of Social and Economic Development.

Comment & analysis

What we learned about the mining sector's priorities for business integrity in times of crisis

Considerations from the first in a series of discussions on business integrity in mining organised by WEF's PACI, ICMM, EITI and Transparency International's Accountable Mining Programme.

Comment & analysis

Why collaboration will be key to creating the workforce of the future

Investing in skills and collaboration for the future of work is urgently needed, writes ICMM director Nicky Black for World Economic Forum's 'Global Agenda'.

Comment & analysis

Celebrating 20 years of partnership and collaboration to uphold human rights

The principles that underpin the VPs initiative are more relevant today than ever with global events such as COVID-19 having shone a spotlight on the many inequalities and vulnerabilities seen throughout society, writes ICMM's Marcus Addy.

Comment & analysis

How integrating mine closure into business planning and decision making can generate value, reduce risks and liabilities

Closure governance is critical to underpinning the successful execution of an integrated closure process, writes ICMM's Alice Evans.

Comment & analysis

Where is mining on its water stewardship journey?

Collaboration and learning from others are central to the water stewardship journey, writes Hayley Zipp, water lead at ICMM, and Mike Lelliott, Principal Hydrogeologist at Golder.

Comment & analysis

The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management

The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management sets a new, global benchmark to achieve strong social, environmental and technical outcomes, with a strong emphasis on accountability and disclosure, writes ICMM CEO Tom Butler.

Comment & analysis

Covid-19 crisis will bring change to mining industry

Community engagement and social performance will be differentiating factor between companies, writes Tom Butler for 'The Commodities Note', an online commentary from the Financial Times.

Comment & analysis

Tracking Performance on Closure Management: ICMM's KPI: Tool for closure

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) help mining companies track their performance on closure management, writes ICMM's Alice Davies.

Comment & analysis

ICMM's Integrated Mine Closure: Good practice guide—then and now

ICMM's most recent closure guide balances environmental protection and social wellbeing with financial performance, writes ICMM's closure lead Dawn Brock for AusIMM Bulletin.

Comment & analysis

A new ESG mining standard will help drive responsible production

No matter how essential metals and minerals may be, customers and other stakeholders are justifiably demanding that they be produced responsibly, writes ICMM COO Aidan Davy.

Comment & analysis