National Mineral Policy 2006 - Department of Mines

ICMM AND SDF3.8 The ICMM membership comprises many of the world’s leading mining and metalscompanies as well as regional, national, and commodity organisations. Membership ofICMM binds its members to a commitment to improve their sustainable developmentperformance and to the responsible production of mineral and metal resources needed bysociety. ICMM’s vision is a viable mining, minerals, and metals industry that is widelyrecognised as essential for modern living but is simultaneously a key contributor tosustainable development. The MMSD Report is the basis on which the ICMM has designedthe SDF comprising the ten principles, the GRI reporting system, and the Supplementmentioned in paragraph 3.2 above. Five of the ten principles are given below:(i) Integrate sustainable development considerations within the corporate decisionmakingprocess;(ii) Uphold fundamental human rights and respect cultures, customs, and values indealings with all those who are affected by mining activities;(iii) Seek continual improvement of environmental performance;(iv) Contribute to conservation of biodiversity and integrated approaches to land useplanning;(v) Contribute to the social, economic, and institutional development of thecommunities in which miners operate.3.9 The GRI is a multi-stakeholder process and independent institution whose mission isto develop and disseminate globally applicable sustainability reporting guidelines. Theseguidelines are for voluntary use by organisations for reporting on the economic,environmental, and social dimensions of their activities, products, and services. The GRIincorporates the active participation of representatives from business, accountancy,investments, environmental, human rights research, and labour organisations around theworld. Started in 1997, GRI became independent in 2002, and is an official collaboratingcentre of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The GRI–ICMM multistakeholdersmaller working group drew together 20 members from industry, finance, labour,and social and environmental NGOs, who developed the Mining and Metals SectorSupplement to accompany the GRI 2002 guidelines. The Supplement was made available indraft form for public comment and 39 comments were received from representatives from70