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 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 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 75 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.
Latest Reports
Stay up to date with our latest publications and reports on mining.

Lithium-Sourcing Roadmap for India
This report aims to provide a strategy to guide policy-makers in sourcing lithium responsibly to promote clean energy manufacturing in India, with the broader aim of supporting low-carbon economic growth, creating equitable jobs, and helping to mitigate climate change impacts.

Relinquishment of Closed Mine Sites: Policy steps for governments
This report reviews the concept of mine site relinquishment, scans global practices, and discusses challenges, key considerations, and policy steps.

ASEAN-IGF Minerals Cooperation: Scoping study on critical minerals supply chains in ASEAN
IGF-ASEAN study exploring opportunities arising from rising demand for critical minerals and metals to fuel the energy and digital transitions.

Women and the Mine of the Future
Uncovering the gender-disaggregated employment profile for large-scale mining, focusing on women and their occupations in 12 countries.
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.
Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) in Mining
The project provides research and guidance to help resource-rich countries capture their fair share of benefits from the mining sector.
New Tech, New Deal
Examines how the mining sector can implement new technologies while allowing investments to serve as an engine for sustainable development for host countries and communities alike.
Commodity Trading: Understanding the tax-related challenges for home and host countries
Studies how commodity traders are involved in buying and selling mineral production from private mining companies in resource-rich developing countries. IISD identified any tax and financial risks for host country governments.
Experts

Greg Radford
Director, IGF

Isabelle Ramdoo
Deputy Director, IGF

Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Interim Co-President and Co-CEO | Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe

Aaron Cosbey
Senior Associate

Alec Crawford
Director, Nature for Resilience

Thomas Lassourd
Senior Policy Advisor II

Clémence Naré
Senior Law Advisor, IGF

Suzy H. Nikièma
Director, Investment

Alexandra Readhead
Lead, Tax and Extractives

Marina Ruete
Associate

Jaqueline Taquiri
Policy Advisor II, Tax and Extractives

Viola Tarus
Policy Advisor, Tax and Extractives

Ege Tekinbas
Senior Policy Advisor, Gender Equity
Latest
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