Dr Bruno Oberle, Chair of the Global Tailings Review, and Susan Joyce, President, On Common Ground Consultants, and a member of the Review’s multidisciplinary Expert Panel, spoke today in a dedicated session at the Intergovernmental Forum (IGF)’s AGM on developing an international standard to help the mining industry improve the management of their tailings facilities.
Representatives of the Review’s co-conveners also spoke in this session, including: Elisa Tonda, Head, Consumption & Production Unit, Economy Division, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Tom Butler, CEO, International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM); and Adam Matthews, Director, Ethics and Engagement, Church of England Pensions Board.
IGF supports more than 60 nations committed to leveraging mining for sustainable development to ensure negative impacts are limited and financial benefits are shared. It is devoted to optimising the benefits of mining to achieve poverty reduction, inclusive growth, social development and environmental stewardship. The IGF AGM is taking place from Tuesday 8th October until Friday 11th October in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Global Tailings Review session focused on its progress to date and next steps, as well as how states and other stakeholders can support the development and uptake of the Standard. The global public consultation stage on the draft Standard is expected to take place in the final quarter of this year, with feedback from the consultation to be considered by the Chair and Expert Panel before the final Standard and the recommendations report are expected to be published in early 2020.