29 October 2015: The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) has convened its 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM), gathering over 250 participants from 67 countries, as well as representatives from international organizations, industry associations and civil society organizations, to address the theme of post-mining transition and environmental management. The meeting, which convened at the UN Office in Geneva, Switzerland, from 25-27 October 2015, covered a range of issues, including: mine closure practices and challenges; the social impacts of mine closure; and the emergence of a growing number of guidelines, standards, and certification schemes to guide the mine closure process.

Glenn Gemerts of Suriname, the Chair of the IGF, and Samuel Gayi, Head of the Special Unit on Commodities of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), welcomed delegates and delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of these issues to all stakeholders and stressing the important role that the mining sector can play in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by the UN General Assembly one month earlier.

Throughout the meeting, speakers highlighted that there is a strong need to begin mine closure planning as soon as processes for planning the mine commence. Participants recognized that mine closure planning should be a prerequisite to mining investment.

Another recurring message at the meeting was the importance of integrating social and economic considerations – including health, employment and education – into closure plans. Participants identified the most pressing social and environmental challenges relating to mine closure and post-closure transitions, which included the insufficiency of knowledge around best practices and the absence of mine closure considerations in many investment discussions. It was also noted that adequate financial assurances should be in place to ensure that the costs associated with closure are covered.

Examples of successful closure and post-mining transition policies and laws were described, as were the challenges associated with rehabilitating orphaned and abandoned mines. Emphasis was placed on the importance of: enhancing partnerships and collaborations among different sectors; early stage community engagement; increasing transparency; the social license to operate; and providing capacity building to integrate economic, social and environmental aspects throughout the mine’s life cycle. In addition, participants acknowledged the contributions of international organizations in developing relevant and useful guidance and standards across the mining life cycle.

Participants suggested that, given its significant role in local livelihoods, national economies and the global market, better aligning the practices and policies of the mining industry with the SDGs will be a key part of successfully achieving the global development agenda between now and 2030. Participants recognized that, as the leading global policy forum on mining and sustainable development, the IGF has an important role to play in this alignment.

Among the side events taking place in conjunction with the AGM, IGF held workshops on the topics of “Designing of closure with community engagement” and “Introduction to the Mining Policy Framework.” Another IGF workshop provided guidance for governments on managing artisanal and small-scale mining. [IISD RS Sources][IGF website]