The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has welcomed copper producer Codelco as a member company. Meanwhile, BHP Billiton CEO Marius Kloppers has taken over as chair of the ICMM.
“We are pleased to have Codelco aboard as an ICMM member,” Kloppers said. “It signals the company’s commitment to working with their peers to advance the sustainable development performance of the sector in an open and collaborative manner.”
Four associations have also joined ICMM – the Ghana Chamber of Mines, International Iron Metallics Association, International Manganese Institute and ITRI (the global association for the tin industry).
Codelco’s membership was approved by an independent expert panel on the basis that they will be able to fulfil all associated commitments within a two-year period. It is the third company to join ICMM using the member process launched in May 2010.
“Our company aims to be a leader in the way we care for the environment and neighbouring communities,” said Diego Hernández, president and CEO of Codelco. “For Codelco, it is no longer enough to deliver the resources that benefit all Chileans, we must also play an active role in improving international sustainability standards. This is our challenge as we join this prestigious organization.”
ICMM members meet three times a year to discuss pressing sustainable development challenges faced by the industry. They report publicly against their sustainable development performance on an annual basis.
The ICMM is a coalition of mining and metals companies and national and regional mining associations and global commodity associations. It was established in 2001 to improve sustainable development performance in the mining and metals industries. The ICMM’s other members include: African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, AREVA, Barrick, BHP Billiton, Freeport-MCMoRan Copper and Gold, Goldcorp, Gold Fields, Hydro, JX Nippon Mining and Metals, Lonmin, Minerals and Metals Group, Mitsubishi Materials, Newmont, Rio Tinto, Sumitomo Metal Mining, Teck, Vale, and Xstrata.