Over the past three decades, the adverse ESG impacts of minerals production and trade have gained significant public attention. This has resulted in the proliferation of over 30 voluntary standard setters (VSS) and certification systems globally. In parallel, the development and implementation of national and regional regulatory frameworks in mineral producer and consumer nations has taken place, establishing mandatory requirements that seek to make mining, and minerals processing, transportation, trade and sourcing more contributory to sustainable development. In the majority of cases, voluntary standard requirements have been developed independently of legal frameworks of mineral producer countries. The resulting lack of coherence has very practical implications for businesses’ ability to operate responsibly, build value, and contribute to sustainable development, and it also may complicate the further development of good governance in producer countries.
A research study commissioned by GIZ and conducted by Levin Sources set out to understand what specific added value VSS could have, and how they could complement national mineral sector governance structures in mineral producer countries. It provides insights into how VSS collaboration and knowledge exchange with mineral producer countries could help to strengthen good governance elements on the one hand and increase VSS’ effectiveness towards advancing positive outcomes for workers, local communities and those affected by mining activities.
The question central to the research is: How could active engagement and collaboration between VSS and authorities in mineral producer countries further advance good mineral sector governance, and what potential for further synergy exists to facilitate improved sector oversight and regulation?
JOIN THIS EUROPEAN ROUNDTABLE TO:
Explore degrees of synergy between countries’ policy frameworks and VSS requirements.
Discover distinctive roles in promoting good mineral sector governance
Discuss and provide input on the eventual development of a suite of policy advisory tools, through which data and knowledge could more pro-actively be shared between VSS and authorities in producer countries, and where such VSS data and knowledge is deployed to further enable states to exercise effective mineral sector governance