3.03.2008 - 08:27am ET

(CSRwire) March 3, 2008 - ICMM has published its 2007 Annual Review which highlights the organization's significant achievements throughout the year. The report records how ICMM works to address key issues that affect the mining and metals sector, providing a benchmark for good industry practice.

ICMM President Paul Mitchell said, "For many companies it was a year of impressive financial performance. But, with such success comes increased responsibility."

One challenge facing the mining and metals industry is demonstrating to governments the social and economic benefits that investment in mining can bring, both at national and local levels.

Through measures such as ICMM's Resource Endowment initiative - which entered its third phase in 2007 with pilots in Chile, Peru and Tanzania - ICMM, in partnership with the World Bank and UNCTAD, built a better understanding of how modern mining can make a greater contribution to the social and economic well-being of the regions and countries where it takes place.

In 2007 ICMM published Metals Environmental Risk Assessment Guidance (MERAG), and Health Risk Assessment Guidance for Metals (HERAG). ICMM also published Materials Stewardship, Eco-efficiency and Product Policy, and held a workshop on the Good Practice Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity. Discussion of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) protected areas categories system progressed, and ICMM published a report containing feedback on ICMM's draft position statement on Mining and Indigenous Peoples issues.

2007 saw the appointment of a new ICMM Chairman, Brad Mills (also Chief Executive of Lonmin). In an article on page 18 of the review, Brad Mills outlines some of the challenges he identifies for ICMM and the mining and metals industry in the year ahead.

Brad Mills said, "We must ensure that the industry addresses the concerns of local communities, NGOs, investors and other stakeholders around key issues like the environment and human interaction with large scale industrial development."

A full copy of the annual review is available on our website (www.icmm.com) or can be obtained from Fernanda Diez.

The International Council on Mining and Metals(ICMM) is a CEO-led organization representing many of the world's leading mining and metals companies as well as regional, national and commodity associations. An important part of its mandate is dedicated to sustainable development. ICMM members are committed to improving their sustainable development performance and to the responsible production of the mineral and metal resources society needs.

ICMM's 17 corporate members are:

Alcoa, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick Gold, BHP Billiton, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Gold Fields, Lonmin, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Newmont, Nippon Mining & Metals, Rio Tinto, Sumitomo Metal Mining, Teck Cominco, Vale, Xstrata, Zinifex.

ICMM's 28 association members are:

Cámara Argentina de Empresarios Mineros, Camara Asomineros Andi (Colombia), Camara Minera de Mexico, Chamber of Mines of South Africa, China International Mining Group, Cobalt Development Institute, Consejo Minero de Chile A.G., Eurometaux, Euromines, Federation of Indian Mineral Industries, Indonesian Mining Association, Instituto Brasileiro de Mineraçao, International Aluminium Institute, International Copper Association, International Wrought Copper Council, International Zinc Association, Japan Mining Industry Association, Lead Development Association International, Minerals Council of Australia, Mining Association of Canada, Mining Industry Associations of Southern Africa, National Mining Association (USA), Nickel Institute, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Sociedad Nacional de Minería (Chile), Sociedad Nacional de Minería, Petróleo y Energía (Peru), World Coal Institute, World Gold Council.

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