International Council on Mining and Metals Sustainable Development Framework (ICMM)

There has been growing recognition on the part of the mining companies that the status quo has become untenable. Mining companies around the world are being confronted with protests and demonstrations that often turn violent and lead to loss of human life, damage to property, and disruption in production operations. At the same time, they are being subjected to lawsuits in their home countries with potential damage awards in the billions of dollars.