Sustainable development goals and the mining sector
Late last year, an industry agenda and mapping atlas (the “Atlas”) was released mapping the mining sector towards implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The SDG were developed to represent the post- 2015 global development agenda and provides the globally accepted and practical definition of sustainable development worldwide. The SDG were formally agreed upon by all 193 United Nations member states and involved the largest public consultation in history.
There are 17 SDGs: (1) no poverty; (2) no hunger; (3) good health; (4) quality education; (5) gender equality; (6) clean water and sanitation; (7) renewable energy; (8) good jobs and economic growth; (9) innovation and infrastructure; (10) reduced inequalities; (11) sustainable cities and communities; (12) responsible consumption and production; (13) climate action; (14) life below water; (15) life on land; (16) peace, justice and strong institutions; (17) partnerships for the goals.
The SDG are intended to apply to both the public and private sector, and the mining sector is viewed as a particularly critical global industry for the advancement of the SDG. As noted in the Atlas, the International Council on Mining and Metals concludes that mining accounts for 60-90% of foreign direct investment in low and middle income countries. Consequently, the impact of mining on the achievement of sustainable development goals is significant from a policy perspective.
The goal of the Atlas is threefold; to better understand how the SDG relate to the mining sector, raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges the SDG present to the mining sector, and initiate a multi-stakeholder dialogue and partnerships towards achievement of the SDG.
The Atlas concludes that the mining sector impacts all 17 SDG. In particular, however, mining impacts SDGs 9, 8, 7, 6, 15, 13 (see above). SDGs 9, 8 and 7 (infrastructure, jobs and growth, renewable energy) present opportunities for mining to contribute positively to achieving the SDG.
Mining projects require the development of infrastructure that can provide broader development benefits beyond the mining project. While mining is energy intensive, improving energy access and efficiency, including through the use of renewable energy, can positively contribute to energy sustainability. Local procurement can contribute towards economic growth and development.
SDGs 6, 15 and 13 (water, biodiversity, climate) represent areas where the mining sector should seek to minimize adverse impacts through mitigation strategies. While mining operations are significant users of water, ensuring access and sanitation and efficient use of water resources can minimize negative impacts.
Mining activity also impacts ecosystems and biodiversity, thereby creating an imperative to develop and implement biodiversity management strategies to limit disruption. Mining operations can also take steps to limit their carbon footprint to less negative impacts on climate change.
Challenges identified in the Atlas include lack of local capacity for implementing good practice, limited resources and lack of clarity on the roles of the private versus public sector and other stakeholders. Dialogues and partnerships are identified as key to unlocking the full potential for the mining sector to positively contribute to achieving the SDG. The SDG and the Atlas provide a useful guide to starting these dialogues. They also provide a useful starting point for mining companies to identify focus areas reflecting a global consensus on priorities for sustainable development.
Michael Torrance is a lawyer with Norton Rose Fulbright, Toronto.
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