Minerals Council of Australia:
Environment & Social
More than in any other way, the community judges the minerals industry by its environmental performance. Recognising the need to achieve environmetal excellence and to be open and accountable to the communtity. Australia's minerals industry has developed a Code for Environmental Managment. The Code has been strengthened by contributions from government and non-government organisations.
The Code is the centrepiece of a new commitment to respond to community concerns through consultation, demonstrated environmental performance, continual improvement and public reporting.
Adoption of the Code is voluntary and open to all minerals companies. Signatories will be required to demonstrate their commitment to environmental excellence and provide leadership to the minerals industry for the broad adoption of the Code. Irrespective of whether a company becomes a signatory, the Code provides a basis for improving environmental performance through progressive implementation of the Code's principles.
Effective environmental management within the minerals industry must take into account the physical, environmental, statutory, economic and social parameters relevant to each operation. Therefore, the Code provides a comprehensive framework for the development of effective systems and processes for each operation. It does not prescribe specific practices, standards or any particular local requirements as they cannot provide effective environmental management across diverse operations.
The Code does not set entry standards but requires signatories' commitment to continual improvement and public reporting of Code implementation and environmental performance. Signatories will progressively implement the Code's principles by putting in place systems and processes to achieve full implementation over time.
Signatories will apply the Code wherever they operate. The principles will guide signatories through each phase of mineral development, from exploration, through design and construction to mining, minerals processing, rehabilitation and decommissioning.
Signatories to the Code will:
The industry recognises that community, government and industry needs and expectations will change over time. The Code will continue to evolve with ongoing input from all stakeholders.
