Mining
The mining sector has long been an area of focus for IISD. Since 2015, the institute has hosted the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) which supports more than 80 nations in advancing their sustainable development goals through effective laws, policies, and regulations for the mining sector.
Mining is key to much-need development in many countries. Globally, increasing the supply of critical minerals is fundamental to the low-carbon energy transition. 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 issues, 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 served as the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) since 2015. The IGF supports more than 80 nations in advancing their sustainable development goals through effective laws, policies, and regulations for the mining sector. The Secretariat helps governments take action to develop inclusive and gender-equitable practices, optimize financial benefits, support livelihoods, and safeguard the environment.
IISD has also 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?
Latest Reports
Stay up to date with our latest publications and reports on mining.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_portrait_mobile/public/2024-12/artisanal-small-scale-mining-critical-minerals.jpg?h=81630ad8&itok=BeggThfk)
Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining of Critical Minerals
This report examines the potential for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) to take an expanded role in the global supply of critical minerals.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_portrait_mobile/public/2024-11/global-sustainability-standards-mining.jpg?h=81630ad8&itok=WAM2mg_b)
Navigating Global Sustainability Standards in the Mining Sector
This brief examines the latest developments and trends in responsible mining standards and voluntary sustainability initiatives.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_portrait_mobile/public/2024-11/leveraging-digital-infrastructure-mining_1.jpg?h=81630ad8&itok=U_5xTYfN)
Leveraging Digital Infrastructure for Mining Community Resilience
This report explores the socio-economic impacts and potential of new technologies in the mining sector.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_portrait_mobile/public/2024-10/igf-decarbonization-mining-sector-case-study.jpg?h=81630ad8&itok=XxSmtYJA)
IGF Case Study: Decarbonization of the Mining Sector
Case studies from Chile, Indonesia, and South Africa that delve into the role of the mining sector in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_portrait_mobile/public/2024-05/igf-2023-annual-report.jpg?h=81630ad8&itok=jbBESnDU)
2023 IGF Annual Report
Detailing an eventful year that saw the IGF Secretariat deliver several new publications, workshops, and events for its growing membership.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_portrait_mobile/public/2024-05/igf-what-makes-minerals-metals-critical.jpg?h=81630ad8&itok=hl_XmJ9s)
What Makes Minerals and Metals "Critical"?
Exploring how governments define what should be considered as "strategic" or "critical" based on a series of objective criteria.
Projects
IGF Mining
The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) supports more than 75 nations committed to leveraging mining for sustainable development to ensure negative impacts are limited and financial benefits are shared.
Global Mining Tax Initiative
The project provides research and guidance to help resource-rich countries capture their fair share of benefits from the mining sector.
Women and the Mine of the Future
A collaborative project to increase understanding of the status quo for women in mining, so stakeholders can anticipate, assess, and address gendered impacts as mining evolves.
Experts
![profile image of greg radford](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-02/greg-radford-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=LXECy4T3)
Greg Radford
Director, IGF
![profile image of isabelle ramdoo](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-02/isabelle-ramdoo-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=GiJw513h)
Isabelle Ramdoo
Deputy Director, IGF
![Nathalie Bernasconi](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-08/nathalie-bernasconi-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=KsKWhiTx)
Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe
![Carlos Ortega's headhot](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-11/carlos-ortega-2023.jpg?h=55ddf189&itok=PYPQHlXI)
Carlos Alberto Ortega
Environmental Advisor
![Headshot of Gregoire Bellois](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-09/gregoire-bellois-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=S_0wg7FE)
Grégoire Bellois
Senior Policy Advisor
![Aaron Cosbey](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-12/aaron-cosbey-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=zmT6-638)
Aaron Cosbey
Senior Associate
![Thelma Halim, IISD Policy Advisor](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-01/thelma-halim-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=Vq0hNhZU)
Thelma Halim
Policy Advisor
![Headshot of Murtiani](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-09/murtiani-hendriwardani-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=2-vje5Cp)
Murtiani Hendriwardani
Policy Advisor
![Thomas Lassourd Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-10/thomas-lassourd-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=d1xiUByw)
Thomas Lassourd
Lead, Tax and Extractives
![Andrea Lemus Mesa is a Senior Policy Advisor with the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) within IISD’s Economic Law and Policy program.](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-11/andrea-lemus-mesa-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=x3A8veHX)
Andrea Lemus Mesa
Senior Policy Advisor
![clemence-nare-2020.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/clemence-nare-2020.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=6Sr8TwuL)
Clémence Naré
Senior Law Advisor, IGF
![profile picture of suzy nikiema](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-04/suzy-nikiema-2022_0.jpeg?h=4acce965&itok=UQQYUwU4)
Suzy H. Nikièma
Director, Investment
![Ekpen Omonbude is a Senior Policy Advisor with IISD’s Economic Law and Policy Program, working with the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF).](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-11/ekpen-omonbude-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=iuiW4m-x)
Ekpen Omonbude
Senior Policy Advisor
![Alexandra Readhead is Lead, Tax and Extractives with IISD’s Economic Law and Policy Program.](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-11/alexandra-readhead-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=TyKXb4Z8)
Alexandra Readhead
Director, Tax and Sovereign Debt
![Marina Ruete is an advisor with IISD's ELP program.](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-11/marina-ruete-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=61e8TKcW)
Marina Ruete
Associate
![Jaqueline is a policy advisor II in tax law and the extractive industries supporting the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, and Sustainable Development's (IGF) program.](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-11/jaqueline-taquiri-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=oZzMHI2h)
Jaqueline Taquiri
Policy Advisor II, Tax and Extractives
![Viola Tarus Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-10/viola-tarus-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=uiApd727)
Viola Tarus
Policy Advisor, Tax and Extractives
![profile picture of ege tekinbas](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-03/ege-tekinbas-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=fmU-kFWx)
Ege Tekinbas
Senior Policy Advisor, Gender Equity
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