Sustainability
The Australian minerals industry is committed to responsible mining through continual improvement of environmental stewardship and social performance and by contributing to sustainable development.
Overview
The success of Australia’s minerals industry depends upon its ability to operate in line with community expectations on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.
Australian companies are global leaders in innovative, high-tech mining and lead the way in ESG practice.
The Australian industry’s sustainability credentials are recognised globally and its expertise and leading practice is exported around the world.
Minerals projects must be safe and environmentally and socially responsible to continue the industry’s substantial economic contribution and support societal ambitions such as those expressed in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The industry has a long history of collaboration to develop standards, improve industry practices and drive ESG performance.
The MCA developed the sector’s first Code of Environmental practice in 1997 and Enduring Value – the Australian minerals industry framework for sustainable development – in 2005.
MCA member companies are now adopting the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) ESG accountability framework, which covers sustainability management performance at the site-level.
Policy Priorities
Towards Sustainable Mining
Drive improved biodiversity, water and land management practices through the use of Towards Sustainable Mining systems.
Innovative practice
Provide leading practice frameworks and guidance and improve policy settings on tailings management, water accounting and rehabilitation.
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