Instead of preaching to the converted about its environmental and social progress and its economic contributions to society, the international mining community has reached out to the rest of the world through the newly formed Global Mining Initiative (GMI).
GMI is a “change agent” started by 10 of the world’s largest mining, minerals and metals companies. Its purpose is to develop a sustainable development model to provide global leadership for the mining industry.
GMI has three major components: the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development analysis (MMSD); an industry conference to discuss sustainable development with various stakeholders; and the creation of a new industry body to help provide global leadership on sustainable development issues.
The MMSD project is an independent process of consultation and analysis aimed at identifying how mining and minerals can best contribute to sustainable development on a global scale. To get this project rolling, GMI contracted the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development to develop a scoping study. Once completed, the study will be reviewed by a group of 24 individuals, mostly from outside the mining industry, with expertise in environment, social and economic areas.
The global conference, to be held May 12-15, 2000 in Toronto, is designed to allow stakeholders (including various non-governmental organizations) to articulate their expectations of the mining industry in sustainable development. Industry representatives, in turn, will show how they will address the main challenges outlined by MMSD. GMI says such a process should result in “changed behaviours” and “a renewed network of external representation.”
More information can be obtained from GMI’s web site at www.globalmining.com
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