 
Mining Industry and IUCN – The World Conservation Union Announce Partnership
on Mining and Biodiversity
JOHANNESBURG, 31 August 2002 (ICMM/IUCN) – The International Council
on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the global voice of the industry, and IUCN –
The World Conservation Union today launch a partnership to work together on
mining and biodiversity.
“ICMM is committed to working with IUCN and others in developing best
practice principles and reporting criteria on which to measure progress in implementation”,
said Sir Robert Wilson, incoming Chairman of ICMM and Chairman of Rio Tinto.
“The resolution of the long standing conflict between mining and conservation
needs new approaches and efforts need to be made from both sides. Our work with
ICMM offers a platform for communities, corporations, NGOs and governments to
engage in a significant process of dialogue that seeks to find the best balance
between invaluable ecosystems and biodiversity and the social and economic importance
of mining”, says Achim Steiner, Director General of IUCN – The World
Conservation Union.
ICMM members represent a substantial proportion of world mineral production
and include 22 of the world’s leading mining and metal producing companies
and 25 industry associations world-wide.
IUCN is the world’s largest environmental knowledge network. As a Union,
it brings together members from 140 countries, including over 70 States, 107
government agencies and some 750 plus NGOs.
Preliminary agreed areas of work are the development of informed transparent,
inclusive and equitable decision-making processes that integrate biodiversity
conservation and mining into broader land use management strategies. The partnership
also seeks to address specific issues such as “no-go” areas, existing
systems of protected areas, industry performance and especially its contribution
to biodiversity conservation.
ICMM believes that there is a sound business case for this partnership. It
helps to identify and manage risks, maximises opportunities for growth, enhances
relationships with the conservation community and other constituencies and creates
long-term business value in a responsible manner.
“We believe that best practice guidelines not only contribute to biodiversity
conservation, but also improve the performance of the mining and metals industry”,
said Sir Robert.
The partnership initiative follows the commitment made by the ICMM Council
after the Global Mining Initiative policy conference held last May in Toronto.
The ICMM Toronto Declaration outlined several priority areas for follow-up including
the need to work in partnership with IUCN and others, in order to resolve the
questions associated with biodiversity, protected areas and mining.
Issues related to mining and biodiversity were assessed in the independent
stakeholder-based report of the Mining Minerals and Sustainable Development
(MMSD) Project, which was recently published by the International Institute
for Environment and Development (IIED). IUCN and ICMM have agreed to use the
recommendations of the MMSD report as a basis for moving forward.
IUCN and ICMM are committed to extending the partnership to other organizations
that can make a contribution and to work with them to further defining the work
programme.
ENDS
Press briefing:
Sir Robert Wilson, incoming Chairman of ICMM and Chairman of Rio Tinto.
Achim Steiner, Director General of IUCN – The World Conservation Union.
Anita Roper, Deputy Secretary General, International Council on Mining and Minerals
1700 Sunday 1 September
IUCN Environment Centre Press Room
NEDCOR Bank Headquarters
135 Rivonia Road Sandton Johannesburg
For more information, please contact:
At IUCN: Achim Steiner, Director General or Jeffrey McNeely, Chief Scientist
Tel: +27 (0) 82 858 1427; E-mail: achim.steiner@iucn.org
At ICMM: Anita Roper, Deputy Secretary General, Tel: +27 (0) 83 3296 2273;
E-mail: anita.roper@icmm.com
At Rio Tinto: Andrew Vickerman, Head, External Affairs, Tel: +44 77 11 87 96 14
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