Mining
Mining can be critical to achieving the development aspirations of many developing countries and remote regions.
Often, however, the local and national development benefits of mining operations have been limited, and, in some cases, the results have even been negative.
Historically, a focus just on mining company rights and the provision of government tax benefits, while giving limited attention to environmental, social and local economic issues, has limited the sector’s contribution to sustainable development. Working to overcome these concerns, governments, companies and communities increasingly recognize the need for a broader understanding of mining’s potential contribution to local and national development. Transforming this awareness into action requires building the capacity, knowledge and tools required for appropriate reform of government and company policies and processes.
IISD has been deeply involved in the development of a Model Mining Development Agreement (MMDA) with the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Mining Law Committee. IISD was invited to join the core administrative group on this IBA project when it began in 2009. Since then, we have engaged with the global legal and business community to develop an approach based on a simple question: What would a mining contract with a developing country look like if one started from the perspective of sustainable development?
IISD has served as the secretariat to the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) since 2015. The IGF supports more than 60 nations committed to leveraging mining for sustainable development to ensure that negative impacts are limited and financial benefits are shared. It is devoted to optimizing the benefits of mining to achieve poverty reduction, inclusive growth, social development and environmental stewardship.
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IGF Case Study: Automation and Water-Saving Technologies
These case studies highlight the key emerging technologies that are being rolled out in the mining sector and their potential impacts on mining-rich countries. Case studies based on innovations in Australia, Mali and South Africa, focusing on two different types of technologies (namely automation and water-saving technologies) illustrate what the possible impacts could be and how governments are responding to those challenges.
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IGF Case Study: Skills Building for Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining
Women play a crucial role in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). While their challenges in the sector have been studied extensively, increased effort is needed to create a more widespread understanding of their importance to ASM.
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New Tech, New Deal: Technology Impacts Review
This review surveys new mining technologies and their impacts, in particular on labour. It asks how they will affect the relationship between mining companies and their host communities and host countries.
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Mining Project Rehabilitation and Closure Guidelines: Papua New Guinea
This document provides guidance for the administration, regulation and monitoring of the rehabilitation and mine closure obligations in Papua New Guinea.
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Managing Local Community Development Related to the Mining Industry: A workshop for WAEMU member states
From July 1 to 5, 2019, IGF held a workshop in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on the management of community development related to the mining industry.
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Casualty or Catalyst: Gender equality and the future of mining
IISD hosted an event June 12, 2019, in Ottawa, Canada, focusing on gender equality and the future of mining.
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Insights on Incentives: Tax competition in mining
This paper highlights key findings from an analysis of the IGF Mining Tax Incentives Database, a collection of files comparing the fiscal regimes of 104 mining projects across 21 countries.
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Seven ways new technology will impact the mining sector
More consultation, in-country study and analysis will be needed to determine the best policy options to address the challenges posed by new technology in the mining sector.
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Five Ways to Promote Mitigation and Adaptation in the Mining Sector
In the face of the climate crisis, there is an urgent need for the mining sector to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
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How Can Technology in Mining Protect the Environment?
Rapid advances in technology innovation, including automation, digitization and electrification, are fundamentally changing how the mining sector operates.
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