Mining

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 hosted the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) since 2015. The IGF supports its more than 85 member 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?