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Forty-seven leading mining companies in the world have
committed themselves to the institution of principles
expected to guide efforts to achieve sustainable
developments in their areas of operation.
The companies, all members of the International Council of
Mining and Metals, met between October 13 and 17, 2008 in
Addis Ababa , Ethiopia, and resolved to focus on encouraging
a responsible approach to mining and use of metals.
A copy of the agreement quoted the companies as saying that
”Mining can provide an important and sometimes critical
contribution to economic development and poverty reduction
in resource-rich countries provided the underlying
conditions are right.”
The ICMM members also advocated collaborative approaches
involving companies, governments, inter-governmental
organisations, NGOs and communities to unlock the potential
benefits of mineral resources and drive continued economic
growth and poverty alleviation at national, regional and
local levels.
The 10 principles, which include the members signed on to
urged them to implement and maintain ethical business
practices and sound systems of corporate governance and also
to integrate sustainable developmental considerations within
the corporate decision making process.
The member associations also gave themselves the charge to
uphold fundamental human rights, respect cultures, customs
and values in dealing with employees and others who are
affected by their activities.
ICMM also targets to implement management strategies based
on valid data and sound science and seek continual
improvement of their health and safety performance.
Other principles which the members committed themselves to
seek improvements in their environmental performance and
contribute to conservation of biodiversity and integrated
approaches to land use planning.
They also agreed to facilitate and encourage responsible
product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of their
products and contribute to the social, economic and
institutional development of the communities in which they
operate. The miners are also resolved to implement effective
and transparent engagement, communication and independently
verified reporting arrangement with its stakeholders. |
