In a significant move towards sustainable and responsible mining practices, four major industry organisations have unveiled a draft consolidated standard aimed at simplifying the complex landscape of mining standards.
The Copper Mark, Mining Association of Canada, International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), and World Gold Council have joined forces to create the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative (CMSI).
The initiative has launched its first public consultation, inviting stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft standard, governance model, assurance process, and related reporting and claims policy.
This 60-day consultation period, which began on October 16, 2024, will run until December 16, 2024.
The draft standard comprises 24 Performance Areas covering a wide range of topics related to responsible mining practices. It introduces a three-tiered system for each Performance Area:
- Foundational Practice: A starting position conforming to minimum industry standards
- Good Practice: Aligned with industry standards and international norms
- Leading Practice: Demonstrating leadership and best practices
This structure is designed to encourage continuous improvement and allow facilities to progress from foundational to leading practices over time.
The CMSI standard is intended to be applicable to mining facilities worldwide, regardless of size, commodity, or location.
Once finalised, it is expected to be adopted by existing members of the partner organisations, potentially becoming the most widely used voluntary mining standard to date.
Terry Heymann, Chief Financial Officer of the World Gold Council, emphasised the significance of this initiative: “The new, consolidated Standard will create a simplified system that serves the needs of all stakeholders, sets a high bar for responsible mining, and drives continuous improvement across the entire mining and metals industry.”
The initiative proposes an independent entity to oversee the standard’s development, promotion, and maintenance.
This entity will be governed by a diverse board with equal representation from companies and stakeholder groups across the mining industry and wider value chain.
The development of the CMSI standard follows ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice, ensuring a transparent and inclusive process.
The current consultation is the first of two planned rounds, with a shorter second consultation expected in 2025.
Stakeholders can participate in the online consultation, which is available in multiple languages to encourage global feedback.
The initiative aims to gather diverse perspectives to refine and improve the standard before its final implementation.
As the mining industry faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable and responsible practices, the CMSI represents a significant step towards unifying standards and promoting continuous improvement in environmental, social, and governance practices across the metal and mineral value chain.