A new report from the International Resources Panel (IRP) discusses practical actions to improve the international governance architecture for mining to enhance its contribution towards sustainable development. The report calls for a new governance framework for the extractive sector referred to as the "Sustainable Development Licence to Operate" and includes consensus-based principles, policy options and best practices that are compatible with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other international policy commitments.

UNEP/EA.4/Res. 19 on Mineral Resource Governance requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), on the basis of reports such as those prepared by the International Resource Panel, UNEP/GRID-Geneva and GRID-Arendal, to, inter alia, collect information on sustainable practices, identify knowledge gaps and options for implementation strategies, and undertake an overview of existing assessments of different governance initiatives and approaches relating to sustainable management of metal and mineral resources.

The implementation of this resolution involved the organization of sub-regional, regional,  and global, consultations to obtain feedback on the governance of extractive industries, understand the political landscape as well as regional needs. More specifically, and as requested by the UNEA-4 resolution, the consultations also helped to identify best practices and knowledge gaps, assess governance options; and consider common elements of interest for next steps.

More than 1,200 participants, comprising of governments (at different levels), UNEP Major Groups and Stakeholders, intergovernmental bodies and international organisations, industry practitioners, civil society, academia and think tanks, joined the consultations held from July to September 2020. 

Visit the UNEA-4 Mineral Resource Governance Resolution to read more about the regional summaries for:

Africa | Asia Pacific | Europe | Latin America and the Carribean | North America | West Asia 

On 26 April 2021 at 16:00 (CET), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the German Environment Agency (UBA) are hosting a webinar on 'OECD Practical Tool on Environmental Due Diligence in Mineral Supply Chains'. This Practical Tool will describe how the 5-step generic due diligence framework recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) can be applied to environmental risks and impacts in global mineral supply chains with a focus on extraction, processing and refining of mineral raw materials.