One Step at a Time

Folks,

Have you ever read Emily Dickinson’s poem If I can stop one Heart from breaking? Rich in empathy and social responsibility, it reminds us that even when challenges feel insurmountable, remembering that change often happens one step at a time is a way to keep going.

We’ve tapped into that spirit recently as we’ve sought to make progress on some of our biggest challenges. Achieving zero harm is top of that list, and last month we published the safety performance of ICMM members in 2023.

Heartbreakingly, 36 colleagues went to work and didn’t come home last year, up from 33 in 2022. While getting this number to zero may feel like a distant goal, our teams continue to work tirelessly each day to build the culture, systems, processes and behaviours that will ultimately get us to that goal – and we won’t stop until that is achieved.

Another top priority is building enduring relationships with Indigenous Peoples based on mutual trust and respect. Towards this end, last week we updated our Indigenous Peoples Position Statement.

Following two years of consultation, the updates include landmark commitments to obtain agreement from Indigenous Peoples on anticipated impacts to their rights from our activities, identified through human rights due diligence and meaningful engagement, among other actions related to benefit sharing, and cultural heritage and knowledge.

Finally, we continue to actively participate in public debates on the most responsible way to build the critical minerals supply chain of the future. This letter to the FT may feel a little confronting, but I felt it necessary to ensure that the debate is informed by facts and data.

None of this matters unless it changes actions and outcomes on the ground, and I always love visiting members’ sites to see these commitments in action. Here’s my take-away from a recent visit to ICMM member Gold Fields’ Agnew mine in Australia where birds, wind turbines and the culture were visible signs of responsible mining in action.

Until next time, Rohitesh Dhawan

Features

ICMM reports 2023 safety performance of members

“There is no higher priority for ICMM members than keeping people safe and healthy at work, and this report is a stark reminder of the work ahead of us in that regard.” Rohitesh Dhawan, President & CEO, ICMM

ICMM has published its latest safety data report, benchmarking company members’ performance to foster transparency, learning, and continuous improvement. Tragically, 36 fatalities were recorded among ICMM company members in 2023, up from 33 in 2022.

The report provides a detailed analysis, categorising fatalities by cause and presenting safety performance metrics by country and company. ICMM has been collating and publishing safety data since 2012. The report is available here.

Reaffirming our respect for Indigenous Peoples' rights

“The updated Position Statement brings significantly more rigor to the expectations of ICMM member companies in how we, the mining industry, engage, understand and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. These commitments serve as the foundations of lasting relationships built on transparency, trust and mutual benefit.” Tom Palmer, CEO, Newmont

ICMM members have reaffirmed their commitment to respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples through our updated Indigenous Peoples and Mining Position Statement. Through these commitments our members will:

• Respect rights and recognise Indigenous Peoples as important partners in mining projects developed on their lands and territories
• Acknowledge the impact that mining has had on Indigenous Peoples and the need to take action to address ongoing challenges
• Obtain agreement from Indigenous Peoples on anticipated impacts to their rights from our activities, identified through human rights due diligence and early and meaningful engagement.

Developed over two years with input from Indigenous representatives, human rights, and legal experts, this update comes at a pivotal time, as an estimated 54% of critical mineral mining projects are located on or near Indigenous lands. Read more about the Position Statement here.

The Art of the Possible: How collaboration is driving the transformation of large haul truck fleets

For over six years, ICMM has worked with members and major mobile equipment manufacturers to tackle a significant challenge. With over 28,000 large mining trucks in operation globally, producing more than 69 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, decarbonising these massive vehicles is essential.

Through ICMM’s Innovation for Cleaner, Safer Vehicles (ICSV) initiative, progress has been significant. What once seemed like an ambitious target – introducing zero emission haul trucks by 2040 – is now expected to be achieved by 2030.

ICMM's recent Innovation Session brought together experts to share knowledge and tackle the remaining challenges. Read Senior Manager Dana Cartwright 's reflections here.

Nature in the balance – but finally on the balance sheet

Urgent action on nature is vital and best served by companies adopting a double materiality approach write ICMM Co-Chief Operating Officer Aidan Davy in a blog published by FT Sustainable Views.

Unsustainable use of nature is undermining our planet’s health, people, and economic resilience. The assessment and disclosures framework and sector guidance developed by the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) has the promise to transform how companies and investors engage with nature by bringing nature-related considerations into board-level discussions and reporting. But it’s not without its challenges. Read Aidan’s full analysis here.

ICMM in the News

ICMM’s Rohitesh Dhawan responded to claims that the risks of violent conflict will rise as the green transition accelerates in a letter to the Financial Times.

Our research shows that mining-dependent countries with good resource governance – supported by formal, responsible mining companies following voluntary standards – enjoy better economic and social outcomes for local communities. Read the letter in full here.

Connect With Us

CRC TiME Annual Forum

Brisbane, Australia • 20 August

Amber Rowntree will be speaking on a panel discussing 'Operationalising ESG', where she will be offering insights into the practical implementation of environmental, social, and governance principles in the mining sector. Find out more here.

Indonesia International Sustainability Forum

Jakarta, Indonesia • 5 September

Danielle Martin will be speaking at the Indonesia Sustainability Forum in a panel session on 'Green Industry: Energy storage solution and the role of critical minerals'. Find out more here.

MIT Global Summit on Mine Tailings Innovation

Massachusetts, US • 19–20 September 2024

As demand for critical minerals and metals continues to grow, so does the need for effective tailings waste management.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 's (MIT), first Global Summit on Mine Tailings Innovation, being held in collaboration with ICMM, aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and actionable solutions for tailings. The conference is important forum for multi-level cooperation, and will gather together industry leaders, academics, and regulators to accelerate the development of solutions to Re-use, Reduce and Re-imagine mine tailings.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Helaina Matza , Acting Special Coordinator for the Partnership on Global Infrastructure Investment (PGI) at the U.S. Department of State
• Bruno Pelli , Global Technical Services Director of Mining at Vale S.A.
• Jaidev Prasad , Chief Advisor for Next Generation Processing at Rio Tinto

NYC Climate Week

New York, US • 22-29 September

The ICMM team will be in New York for NYC Climate Week, contributing to conversations on industry-wide decarbonisation and sustainable development. Find out more here.

2024 Concordia Annual Summit

New York, US • 23-25 September

Rohitesh Dhawan will be speaking at the 14th Concordia Annual Summit, bringing together heads of state, policymakers, business executives, NGO leaders, and entrepreneurs. This year's theme, "Navigating a New Era" is on the importance of human interaction aimed at providing the platform and tools to address today's global issues and prepare for tomorrow. Find out more here.

FT Live Mining Summit

London, UK • 26 - 27 September

The demand for critical minerals has escalated as governments race to secure the raw materials required for the energy transition. This surge in demand has created a monumental change within the industry, bringing new opportunities for miners but also concerns about where supply will come from. Rohitesh Dhawan will be addressing these issues at FT Live’s Mining Summit on mining’s social license to operate. Find out more here.

FT Energy Transition Summit

New Delhi, India • 8–9 October 2024

Rohitesh Dhawan will be speaking at the FT Energy Transition Summit India, where key stakeholders will discuss the path to achieving net zero carbon emissions goals and how the region can balance energy security with the urgent need for renewable energy, aiming to become a global leader in clean technology and green hydrogen exports. Find out more here.