ICMM releases nature positivity guidance for mining companies

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has released a practical guide to help mining companies protect and restore biodiversity and achieve nature positivity.

The guidance comes roughly a year after 24 ICMM members – including Anglo American, BHP, Codelco, Rio Tinto and Sibanye-Stillwater – committed to a five-point plan to make the mining sector more nature-positive.

Now, through the Achieving No Net Loss or Net Gain of Biodiversity: Good Practice Guide, ICMM outlines a seven-step process applicable at each stage of the mining lifecycle – from mine design to post-closure – to help companies establish baseline assessments, apply the mitigation hierarchy and transparently disclose progress towards a no net biodiversity loss, or net gain, goal.

The technical guide is designed for mine operators at site level, as well as professionals overseeing companies’ sustainability and biodiversity strategies, such as Chief Sustainability Officers.

‘We must go further’

Speaking on the release of the guidance, Hayley Zipp, Director, Environment, at ICMM, said: “Committing to achieve no net loss or net gain of biodiversity at mining and metals operations is essential for our industry to contribute to the global goal of halting and reversing nature loss.

“But we must go further. Building a nature-positive future requires multi-stakeholder collaboration, innovation, and accountability. That’s why our members have committed to taking nature action across the value chains, landscapes and systems we operate in. We urge companies across the industry – and those managing significant land areas in other sectors – to take the lead in making commitments that help protect and restore nature for the benefit of all.”

According to the 2024 Living Planet Report, wildlife populations have seen a 73% average decline from 1970 through 2020. The mining industry is dependent on the services provided by healthy ecosystems – such as access to clean water, erosion prevention, and flood control – yet mining operations have historically played a significant role in environmental degradation. 

The ICMM therefore calls protecting and conserving nature “a business imperative”.  

Miners committed to biodiversity protection

Miners have made increasing efforts to protect and restore nature as they dig for the minerals necessary for the energy transition. A number of companies have recently named Chief Sustainability Officers and some have even committed to the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

In Teck Resources’ first TNFD-aligned report, the Canadian miner declared that regardless of the climate scenario, aligning business strategy to support the ecological transition is set to positively impact earnings.