Highlights and images for 8 October 2019

Highlights for Tuesday, 8 October 2019

The 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) opened today at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on the theme of “Mining in a Changing Climate.” In opening remarks, Isabelle Durant, Deputy Secretary-General, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), underscored the effects of mining on climate, its impacts on the environment and local communities, and its role in trade and sustainable development. Several speakers drew attention to the huge increase in global demand for minerals used in renewable energy technologies, and the need to plan for climate risk in mining operations. Speakers and participants highlighted the role of innovation, data, standards and certification in promoting sustainability and resilience of the mining sector, noting the urgent need for action. Government officials and mining company representatives presented examples of “climate-smart” initiatives, and shared examples of strategies to boost the use of renewable energy in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). They also discussed steps to strengthen environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), and to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. Discussions of the latter included a presentation of the World Bank DELVE database project on ASM and interactive “marketplace presentations” highlighting actions by several African and Latin American countries. At lunchtime, delegates took part in an interactive session on gender-responsive human rights, which considered the need for due diligence in the mineral supply chain. In the evening, they attended a reception hosted by the World Bank.

IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ meeting coverage, has provided daily digital coverage, daily reports, and a summary report from the 2019 AGM. The summary report is available in HTML and PDF.

Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis

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Opening Session

Alexander Medina, IGF Executive Committee Chair

Isabelle Durant, Deputy Secretary-General, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

From L-R: Nathalie Bernasconi, Senior Director, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD); Alexander Medina, IGF Executive Committee Chair; Isabelle Durant, Deputy Secretary-General, UNCTAD; and Steve D'Esposito, President and CEO, RESOLVE

Roberto Sarudianksy and Haroldo Montagu, Argentina

Alec Crawford, IGF Secretariat, with Geoffrey Omedo, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Kenya

From L-R: Faris Ali Alnajrani, Saudi Arabia; Abdullahi Also, Nigeria; and Ayo Olumoyegun, Nigeria

Nathalie Bernasconi, Senior Director, IISD

Steve D'Esposito, President and CEO, RESOLVE

Kridtaya Sakamornsnguan, Thailand

Florent Sierens, Turkish Post (PTT), with Gerrit Hansen, IISD Reporting Services

Impacts and Policies of Mining in a Changing Climate

From L-R: Jan Kosmol, German Environment Agency; Alexander Medina, IGF Executive Committee Chair; Greg Radford, Director, IGF Secretariat; Kirsten Hund, World Bank; and Osvaldo Urzúa, Director, Center for Copper and Mining Studies (CESCO), Chile

Osvaldo Urzúa, Director, CESCO, Chile

Kirsten Hund, World Bank

Partnerships for Change: Fostering Voluntary Sustainability Initiatives

From L-R: Ben Chalmers, Mining Association of Canada; Gillian Davidson, Global Battery Alliance; Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance; and Matthew Wenban-Smith, Executive Director, Responsible Steel

Matthew Wenban-Smith, Executive Director, Responsible Steel

Gillian Davidson, Global Battery Alliance

Risks and Opportunities: Climate Change Adaptation in Mining

From L-R: Nick Cotts, Newmont Goldcorp; Alexander Medina, IGF Executive Committee Chair; Anne Hammill, IISD; Geoffrey Omedo, UNDP Kenya; and Sean Capstick, Golder Associates

Sean Capstick, Golder Associates

Nick Cotts, Newmont Mining Corporation

Strengthening Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA)

From L-R: Clémence Naré, IGF Secretariat; Katherine Matos Meza, Peru; Martha Ly, Golder Associates; and Kristi Disney Bruckner, Executive Director, Sustainable Development Strategies Group

Katherine Matos Meza, Peru

Martha Ly, Golder Associates

Renewable Energy and Effective Policy Frameworks

From L-R: Greg Radford, Director, IGF Secretariat; Osvaldo Urzúa, Director, CESCO, Chile; Mark Richards, Rio Tinto; Loreto Maturana, Anglo American; and Thomas Koch Blank, Rocky Mountain Institute

Mark Richards, Rio Tinto

Thomas Koch Blank, Rocky Mountain Institute

Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) Strategy Marketplace

Rachel Perks, World Bank

Alec Crawford, IGF Secretariat