The World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) have been engaged in an ongoing Dialogue on mining and biodiversity since 2002.
The overarching aims of the Dialogue are:

  • to improve the performance of mining industries in the area of biodiversity conservation, with a focus on reducing the negative impacts of the industry’s operations and enhancing the industry’s positive contribution to biodiversity; and
  • to raise mutual awareness and understanding between the conservation community and the mining industry, so that both can contribute to improved outcomes for conservation and development in areas where they interact.
     

While mining and biodiversity are its key focus, the Dialogue is also cognizant of the debate around the related issues of restoration of (legacy) mine sites, prior informed consent and the role of host communities.
Accordingly, over the period 2004-2009, the dialogue will contribute to the following objectives:

  1.  Performance of the mining industry in biodiversity conservation is enhanced.
  2. Potential for more strategic, integrated and participatory approaches to planning and management at the landscape and seascape level as a tool for achieving balanced development and conservation outcomes explored.
  3. Mining industries’ contribution and support to further strengthen the IUCN Protected Area Management Categories System, as a credible global standard harnessed.
  4. Options for addressing the related issues of restoration (of legacy sites), prior informed consent, and empowerment of the indigenous peoples and local communities are explored, and pursued as mutually agreed.

The mining dialogue is set in the context of broader interaction between the conservation community and extractives industries on environmental and social issues. IUCN has established a Working Group on Extractive Industries and Biodiversity (WGEIB) to explore common issues within the conservation community, and establish a means of working together towards a common goal. 

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