The Power of Tension
Folks,
Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven is a masterful portrayal of tension, a haunting symbol of unresolved discontent. In the poem, the raven’s refrain of “Nevermore” lingers in the air, creating a sense of unease that deepens with every line. Tension builds, leaving the reader suspended in a state of unresolved conflict.
But in real life, tension doesn’t have to engender discontent or stagnation. In fact, it can be a gateway—a path toward greater understanding, stronger collaboration, and innovative solutions. Often, it’s through healthy, dynamic exchange that the best outcomes are forged. This is especially true in complex environments like the mining industry, where competing priorities and challenges must be carefully navigated.
At ICMM, we actively seek out tension by building collaboration into our very purpose: “leadership through collaboration to enhance the contribution of mining and metals to sustainable development.” We know that by working together with others—across sectors and viewpoints—we achieve far more as an industry, as businesses, and as members of society than we possibly could if we were to act in isolation.
This approach has delivered tangible results, as seen in global initiatives like the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management; the acceleration of cleaner, safer mine vehicles; our efforts to consolidate our Mining Principles with three other responsible mining standards; and most recently, our contributions to the UN Secretary General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. Moreover, our Indigenous Peoples and Mining Position Statement took over two years to develop precisely because we were determined to understand different perspectives. For more insight into this process, I highly recommend Danielle Martin’s recent blog, which explores how we constructively used tension to craft these new member commitments.
Had we taken an inflexible stance—demanding that everyone simply accept our point of view—the Position Statement would undoubtedly be the poorer for it. Simply put, a refrain of “Nevermore” would have been a betrayal of the core principle: mining is essential, but not at all costs.
This philosophy, however, isn’t always reciprocated. Recently I was dis-invited by a global NGO from speaking at a panel they are hosting on human rights during New York Climate Week because another panellist disagreed with an aspect of ICMM’s position on a particular topic. This was an opportunity to discuss upholding rights in the critical minerals transition—a subject close to my heart and one where ICMM has invested significant effort. What worries me most is the growing trend of shrinking space for open debate. Polarisation and echo chambers are becoming more common at a time when collaboration is more critical than ever. I think it’s time for a reset, particularly between civil society and the mining industry.
We don’t need to agree on everything, but we must be willing to sit at the same table, exchange ideas, and challenge each other constructively. We all lose if we withdraw from one another instead of seeking common ground. At our upcoming Responsible Mining Leadership Forum, and again at FT Mining Summit, I’ll be sharing the stage with a diverse range of speakers—some of whom hold very different opinions from my own. I look forward to these discussions because “Nevermore” is not in my nature, or even my vocabulary. “Tell me more” is far more fitting for the kinds of progress we need.
Until next time,
Features
We cannot ignore the tension between the need to mine for critical minerals and respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights
As the world accelerates towards a renewable energy future, critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and copper are increasingly crucial for technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels. However, the extraction of these minerals often occurs on or near Indigenous lands.
Indigenous communities have frequently faced exclusion from decisions about their lands, leading to environmental degradation and social disruption. This presents a profound challenge; how can we reconcile the need to mine these minerals with the equally important need to respect Indigenous Peoples’ right to have a say in how their lands are used and developed?
ICMM’s Danielle Martin latest blog discusses how our updated Indigenous Peoples and Mining Position Statement balances the benefits of mineral extraction with the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
ICMM and INAP announce collaboration to help mining operations address water pollution
The long-term impacts of acid rock drainage and metal leaching are far reaching, costly, and can be resource intensive. ICMM and the INAP:International Network for Acid Prevention have announced a new collaboration aimed at preventing and reducing water pollution caused by acid rock drainage and metal leaching from mining operations.
The partnership will focus on creating a resource to help non-specialists implement INAP’s Global Acid Rock Drainage (GARD) Guide at mine sites and within corporate operations. The initiative is expected to be completed by early 2025.
ICMM statement on UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals
Earlier this year, ICMM was invited to join the UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals to provide input into the drafting of a set of voluntary principles to guide the responsible development of critical mineral value chains. The panel members were selected because of their expertise, and not as representatives of their governments, companies or industries.
The principles were published on 10 September and we’re pleased that many of these align with ICMM’s long-standing commitments, such as tailings management and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. As the sole industry representative on the panel, ICMM advocated for stronger measures in key areas, including artisanal mining and illegal mining, while emphasising the need for efficient permitting processes and market mechanisms to ensure the sustainable supply of critical minerals.
Is nature-positive mining possible?
ICMM President & CEO Rohitesh Dhawan joined edie content editor Sarah George for an honest conversation on the potential of the mining and metals industry to be a leader on biodiversity conservation, despite its historically negative public perception.
Forming part of the #SustyTalk series, the episode is an opportunity to learn more about the role of ICMM members in piloting the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework. During the interview, Ro says that disclosure is “not enough on its own”. Businesses need to make “nature a boardroom issue for the top executive to be thinking about constantly, as nature loss is creating very significant risks for business now, and their future business model.”
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Why sustainable tax principles must be at the centre of the energy transition
There’s an urgent need for more investment to meet skyrocketing demand for minerals critical to the energy transition. In a blog published by Mining Journal , ICMM’s Danielle Martin and EY ’s mining and metals lead Paul Mitchell discuss the crucial role of stable tax policies in fostering investment, encouraging responsible mining practices, and ensuring that both mining companies and host nations benefit economically.
Together they write that “there is a strong and abiding link between ‘responsible mining' and sustainable tax principles.” By designing stable, transparent, and competitive tax systems, “governments can balance revenue goals with the need for long-term investment, unlocking mining’s potential to drive sustainable economic growth.”
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Connect With Us
MIT Global Summit on Mine Tailings Innovation
Massachusetts, US • 19 - 20 September
As demand for critical minerals and metals continues to grow, so does the need for effective tailings waste management.
MIT’s first Global Summit on Mine Tailings Innovation, being held in collaboration with ICMM, aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and actionable solutions for tailings. The conference is important forum for multi-level cooperation, and will gather together industry leaders, academics, and regulators to accelerate the development of solutions to Re-use, Reduce and Re-imagine mine tailings.
NYC Climate Week
New York, US • 22-29 September
The ICMM team will be in New York for Climate Week NYC, contributing to conversations on industry-wide decarbonisation, sustainable development, and building resilience into global trade and supply chains. Find out more here.
FT Live Mining Summit
London, UK • 26 - 27 September
The demand for critical minerals has escalated as governments race to secure the raw materials required for the energy transition. This surge in demand has created a monumental change within the industry, bringing new opportunities for miners but also concerns about where supply will come from. Rohitesh Dhawan will be addressing these issues on mining’s social license to operate. Find out more here.
FT Energy Transition Summit
New Delhi, India • 8–9 October 2024
Rohitesh Dhawan will be speaking at the FT Energy Transition Summit India, where key stakeholders will discuss the path to achieving net zero carbon emissions goals and how the region can balance energy security with the urgent need for renewable energy, aiming to become a global leader in clean technology and green hydrogen exports. Find out more here.
2nd Chrome Industry ESG Technical Summit
Virtual UK • 8 October
Antonia Mihaylova will be giving a keynote speech on the evolving context surrounding ESG and the need to simplify the responsible mining standards landscape at the second edition of the International Chrome Development Association’s (ICDA) ESG summit. Find out more here.
COP16: United Nations Biodiversity Conference
Cali, Colombia • 21 October – 1 November
The ICMM team will be at COP16, sharing our action on nature by engaging in important cross-sector discussions on how mining can be a key partner for delivering the Global Biodiversity Framework targets and progress on the implementation of ICMM’s Nature Position Statement. ICMM’s Co-COO Aidan Davy will be leading ICMM’s presence on the ground at COP16. More information will be shared on the ICMM website as it becomes available.
ESG Economist and Industry Advisor
3moRohitesh Dhawan, Does the voice of the Raven represent more the conscience of the ICMM or the voice of the negatively affected communities that do not perceive the benefits of the extractive industry?”