Politicians make the policy. But it’s often left to business to implement it. For this reason RioPlus Business is featuring submissions from the private sector across the globe in the lead up to Rio+20.
The aim is to demonstrate how Sustainable Development is becoming a reality in every continent, country and city.
The extraction and processing of minerals and metals plays an essential and constantly evolving role in today’s society that will continue far into the future, explains the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). It is also an industry that is responsible for environmental damage and high carbon emissions. There are however signs that times – and the sector – are changing.
Minerals and metals are a critical part of developing a modern society – providing essential products, wealth, jobs and opportunity. However, in some countries these resources have been misused and squandered, fuelling conflict and political unrest. These disputes range from land use, property rights, environmental damage, transparency of revenues, to a growing debate about the distribution of the spoils.
Equally, demands for a ‘low-carbon economy’ are growing. For humankind to walk more lightly on the earth we need evolution that is marked by innovation, creativity and sensitivity. These needed approaches are not possible, however, without mined minerals and metals.
The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) was formed in 2001 to catalyze change and enhance the contribution of mining, minerals and metals to sustainable development. Our 21 member companies employ close to one million of the 2.5 million people working [...]
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