News Items related to the IUCN ICMM Dialogue

LANDMARK ‘NO-GO’ PLEDGE FROM LEADING MINING COMPANIES
August 20, 2003
The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) announced today a decision not to explore or mine in World Heritage sites around the globe. Such sites protect the world's natural and cultural heritage and are considered to be of "outstanding universal value". IUCN welcomes this decision as a significant step on the road to the private sector endorsing the principles that underlie the IUCN protected areas category system, and more specifically the provision for protected areas I to IV. "This commitment represents a genuine move forward in developing a corporate responsibility by the 15 companies involved in ICMM,"said Achim Steiner, IUCN Director General. IUCN and ICMM are currently engaged in a Dialogue to improve the performance of the mining industry in relation to biodiversity conservation and protected areas.
ICMM announcement // IUCN Protected Area Categories // IUCN and World Heritage

MINING AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: BEST PRACTICE DIALOGUE PROGRESSES
August 7, 2003
The Dialogue between IUCN – The World Conservation Union and International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) announced at the World summit on Sustainable Development (WWSD) in Johannesburg continues apace. The purpose is to enhance the mining industry contribution to biodiversity conservation. One way of doing so is to develop best practice guidelines that the members of ICMM may adopt and implement in their operations. In May ICMM announced its new Sustainable Development Framework Principles that its members would follow. Some of the principles address the key issues of environment and biodiversity conservation. However, these are broad principles, and guidelines are needed to operationalize them in the field.
To this end, IUCN-ICMM held a joint workshop on July 7-9, 2003 in IUCN HQ at Gland.
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MINING, PROTECTED AREAS AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
July 9, 2003
In the spirit of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the resulting Johannesburg Plan of Action, IUCN and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) are engaged in a Dialogue that seeks to enhance the mining industry's contribution to biodiversity conservation. An important element of the Dialogue is to develop best practice guidance for mining in relation to biodiversity conservation. To this end, IUCN and ICMM are jointly holding a workshop during July 7-9, 2003, at IUCN Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. Presentations and case studies are to be discussed at the workshop, which is considered to be a unique opportunity for the mining industry and conservation community to address an issue of growing mutual importance.

THE IUCN-ICMM DIALOGUE
February 26, 2003
Macroeconomic issues have become increasingly important in addressing sustainable development challenges. One of the most controversial has been the impact of extractive industries (mining, oil and gas) on the environment. Reconciling economic development with the need for conservation requires both the extractive industries and the conservation community to develop new approaches to assist societies in negotiating appropriate responses. A dialogue is taking place between IUCN and International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) to explore collaboration on a range of issues including information sharing, capacity building, policy and best practice. The December 2002 IUCN Council meeting fully supported this new dialogue and noted that it should be on the basis of good faith between the parties based on existing IUCN policy. Since the Council meeting, draft Terms of Reference have been prepared and two meetings have been held between IUCN and ICMM.

IUCN COUNCIL REVIEWS MINING AND BIODIVERSITY INITIATIVE
December 12 , 2002
At its December meeting, the IUCN Council fully supported a new dialogue on mining and biodiversity between IUCN and the International Council on Mining and Minerals (ICMM). The terms for a dialogue have not yet been agreed. Council indicated, however, that any dialogue should be on the basis of good faith negotiations by all parties based on existing IUCN policy. Although IUCN has been engaged on issues related to mining for many years, especially safeguarding protected areas, this particular initiative is relatively new. It was first announced as a "partnership" at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Council felt that it was more accurate to refer to it as a "dialogue", given that it is a preliminary stage and that the term "partnership" had been incorrectly misconstrued at the time of the announcement at the WSSD.

MINING AND BIODIVERSITY
October 18, 2002
At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, IUCN - The World Conservation Union and ICMM (International Council on Mining and Metals) announced an initiative to facilitate a new dialogue on mining and biodiversity. For many years IUCN, together with many other organizations in the environmental and social/ human rights movement, has drawn the world's attention to the need for fundamental change and reform in the mining industry. IUCN has a history of dialogue with the extractive industries that has sought to improve environmental practices within the industry. The IUCN membership has also expressed its views on mining and biodiversity conservation, through a series of resolutions and recommendations at IUCN General Assemblies and World Conservation Congresses, which address not only environmental issues but also social and equity considerations - including the rights of indigenous peoples.

FINALIZING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY GUIDELINES
May 28, 2002
The Environmental Sustainability Guidelines on Mining and Petroleum Extraction Activities in Arid and Semi-Arid Zones are being finalized. These guidelines result from instructions received by the IUCN Secretariat in Resolution 2.57 of the Amman Congress, in which members saw such guidelines as a specific contribution by IUCN to the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD). The process of developing this publication was initiated in 1998 as part of IUCN's agreement to assist developing countries in implementing the CCD. Since then several meetings have taken place, the most recent one held in Montreal, Canada, last month, where nineteen specialists met to review the draft. The final version of the guidelines, which will focus on arid land ecosystems and social issues and examine both the mining and oil and gas industries, is to be presented at the CCD Conference of the Parties in 2003.

MINING FIRMS HAVE DECIDED THEY'RE READY TO GO GREEN
May 23, 2002
"In partnership with IUCN and others, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) will seek to resolve the questions associated with protected areas and mining" - just one of the points ICMM included in its Toronto Declaration. The Declaration, released last week during the Global Mining Initiative conference, illustrates how mining is going green.
"This would not have happened five years ago. Perhaps it would not happen in five years from now. Today we have individuals who by different circumstances are together at the right time," said Yolanda Kakabadse, IUCN President, present at the conference.
The conference was driven by a shared desire to enhance the contribution that mining and metals can make to social and economic development. Greening also makes economic sense, with mining companies avoiding financial losses - and even making money - by being environmentally aware.