Sustainability Pattern of Mine Planning

The GMI planned three major activities the objective of which was to reach a clearer

definition and understanding of the positive part the mining and minerals industry can play

in making the transition to sustainable patterns of economic development. These activities

were (GMI, 1998b):

1. The Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) project. This activity,

sponsored by 30 mining companies, had the aim of ‘identifying how mining and minerals

can best contribute to the global transition to sustainable development’. The project was

commissioned by the mining working group of the World Business Council for Sustainable

Development, managed by a committee with a majority of non-industry representatives,

and coordinated by Richard Sandbrook, co-founder of Friends of the Earth. The work was

undertaken with the respected think-tank, the International Institute for Environment and

Development (GMI, 1998b).

2. A careful re-appraisal of all the major bodies representing mining interests around the

world. The aim was to refine association activities to give a more concerted approach to

sustainable development issues. In this way, the activities can be focused via a global

structure which would serve as a pro-active advocate for the mineral industries. The result

was the creation of a strong global organization, the International Council on Mining and

Metals (ICMM), to represent and lead the industry in meeting the challenges of sustainable

development (GMI, 1998b).

3. Organization of the ‘Global Mining Initiative Conference.’ This conference which was

held in Toronto in May 2002 ( just prior to the World Summit on Sustainable Development

held in Johannesburg, September 2002), provided a platform for industry leaders to dis-

cuss key issues and recommendations of the MMSD report with leaders of government,

international organizations and NGOs (GMI, 1998b).