Protecting the sustainable future of the communities in which we operate has never been more important for us here at Anglo American.
To ensure that we positively contribute to local communities and economies, we recognise the importance of cross-industry partnerships and collaborations.
That’s why our chief executive and co-chair of the KIN Catalyst: Mining Company of the Future initiative Mark Cutifani, was in New York last week to help launch a new approach to sustainable mining: the development partner framework.
An industry-wide approach to ethical mining
Created by members of the KIN Catalyst: Mining Company of the Future initiative, the framework seeks to inspire and support the mining industry to adopt a new way of thinking and a new approach to how it secures, nurtures and progressively revitalises its social license to operate.
The process of creating the framework began back in early 2012 at a KIN Catalyst conference held in Brazil. At the event, the gathered delegates agreed that there was a strong need for a new operating model to ensure long-term profitability and success for the mining industry.
It was determined that mining companies must reposition themselves as strategic partners for broader sustainable development and exercise their capacity to facilitate and coordinate amongst all relevant partners. And that means working with a diverse range of sectors including government, faith-based organisations, community associations and academic institutions.
Following the event, a working group was established to create the development partner framework so it could be readily applied by all mining organisations at all stages of the mining life cycle.
A vision for the future
At the heart of the framework is a simple idea: mining needs to be conducted based on the long-term aspirational vision of host communities, and in a way that creates flourishing ecosystems and competitive companies, communities and countries.
It sets a vision and path for the mining industry to:
- Correct negative impacts from yesterday
- Minimise the negative and maximise the positive impacts of today
- Plan for a prosperous, sustainable tomorrow beyond the mine
Cutifani said: “Society’s expectations of the mining industry continue to increase and there is a growing recognition in the industry that incremental improvements to how we run our business are not enough.
“Our aspiration is to fundamentally change the extractive business model of the mining industry from insular and reactive, to an integrated and proactive development partner, delivering on economic, environmental and social shared purpose.”
Following Cutifani’s address at last week’s launch, a diverse panel discussion followed, which was moderated by Peter Bryant. The panel consisted of Rev. Séamus P. Finn, OMI, CEO of Oxfam America, Ray Offenheiser and senior advisor of First Nations Energy, Mining Council and member of Nlaka’pamux Nation, Mark Podlasly.
During the discussion, a senior fellow at the KIN Bryant, remarked that the gathered delegates had an opportunity and responsibility to set the mining industry on a new path that will transform its future.
“We’ve brought together a creative coalition of leaders across multiple sectors of society. Over the past two years, they’ve helped us set a new direction for the mining industry and we’re excited to bring new players into the conversation through today’s event.”
Injecting established ways of working with new views and opinions means that our industry remains adaptable and innovative. Incorporating new approaches and using new tools, such as the development partner framework, means that a sustainable future for mining is fast becoming an achievable one.
For more information about the development partner framework click here. Or download a PDF overview here.
More from the Anglo American partner zone:
- New desalination plant at Chilean copper mine eases water pressures in hydro-stressed region
- World Toilet Day: what business can do to improve global sanitation
- The ECBI programme in Chile: taking a different approach to science education
Content on this page is paid for and provided by Anglo American, sponsor of the social impact hub
