Global CEO-led mining and metals industry body the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) reported in March that it had welcomed three new association members, which “share ICMM’s vision for a safe, just and sustainable world enabled by responsible production of minerals and metals,” says ICMM CEO Rohitesh Dhawan.

The new members include industry bodies the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM); the Federation of Chamber of Mines (EFEDCOM), which is a sub-regional chamber of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); and the International Chromium Development Association (ICDA).

Dhawan, who will be attending this year’s London Indaba taking place on June 25 and 26 as a guest speaker, says the ICMM is delighted to welcome the CIM, EFEDCOM and ICDA as its newest association members. “All three of these organisations share ICMM’s vision for a safe, just and sustainable world, enabled by responsible production of minerals and metals.”

Dhawan will give the keynote address on the second day of the London Indaba – June 26, speaking on the topic of ‘Understanding perceptions: what will it take to truly change hearts and minds towards mining’.

Here, he will discuss why the many previous attempts to change the image of mining have not worked, what the mining industry needs to recognise about human nature and the reality of the mining industry, and which different approaches may have a better chance of working in future.

He adds the unique regional and commodity expertise and perspectives these three associations bring to ICMM will help to foster innovation and broaden debate.

Further, the ICMM looks forward to learning from the insights of the new members, as well as reaching their networks to champion positive change across the wider mining industry.

New Membership

The CIM is a not-for-profit technical institute comprising professionals in the Canadian minerals, metals, materials and energy industries.

“They are dedicated to advancing knowledge, facilitating innovation, celebrating excellence, and promoting sustainable practices across the full spectrum of our industry,” explains Dhawan.

CIM was founded over 125 years ago and has more than 10 000 members nationally and internationally.

“We’re thrilled to announce this collaboration with ICMM, a pivotal step in our commitment to advancing responsible resource development within the mining, minerals, metals and energy sectors,” says CIM CEO Angela Hamlyn.

She adds the promotion of leading practices in environmental, social and governance issues lies at the heart of CIM’s mission, “driving every facet of our work through its professional development and education platforms, events, leading guidelines and award-winning publications.”

“As a longstanding cornerstone for excellence, we are eager to join forces with ICMM to share our insights, leverage our collective expertise and propel our industry towards a more sustainable future that benefits our planet and communities worldwide,” says Hamlyn.

EFEDCOM executive director Sulemanu Koney explains the group, which was developed to advocate for effective policies to promote sustainable and responsible mining in West Africa, is a sub-regional chamber of ECOWAS.

He adds EFEDCOM brings together members States to establish community training and education facilities, share information on responsible mining practices, and provides a space to settle mining and trade disputes.

“EFEDCOM is proud to be associated with ICMM, the world’s most respected mining and metals organisation,” says Koney, adding that EFEDCOM envisages significant opportunities in collaborating with ICMM to deepen sustainable and responsible mining in West Africa.

The ICDA is a not-for-profit trade association that represents the chromium industry across the global chromium value chain.

Through market research, conferences, scientific studies and technical support, the ICDA brings its company members together to examine ways of sourcing and using chromium responsibly.

“Sustainability is at the heart of ICDA’s activities,” says ICDA executive director Sheraz Neffati.

She explains the ICDA has achieved important milestones in this area and is committed to further developing this dimension, and in line with this objective, “it is only natural” for the association to join ICMM, the leading mining and metals association promoting responsible practices.

“We believe that we will learn from the ICMM to advance our environmental, social and governance roadmap, and we want to actively participate in its activities, together with our peers, to help build a unique framework for responsible mining and materials processing under the ICMM umbrella,” says Neffati.

“Together we will be stronger and go further, because regardless of industry sector, these high-level issues affect us all and it is through this unity that we will be able to drive change,” she concludes.