Minerals Council of Australia:
Environment & Social
In developing the Australian Minerals Industry Code for Environmental Management, the minerals industry wishes to demonstrate its commitment to excellence in managing the environmental aspects of its operations. The Code provides a framework and is the centrepiece for an ongoing program of continual improvement in environmental management. It will guide minerals companies, wherever they operate, towards effective environmental strategies for each phase of mineral development, from initial exploration to closure and final rehabilitation.
The concept of a code was first raised during development of the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development in 1990-91. Subsequent initiatives by the Australian Conservation Foundation, Commonwealth Environment Protection Agency, and the Australian and New Zealand Minerals and Energy Council have indicated broad support for the concept. In response, and in recognition of community concerns about the environmental performance of the minerals industry, the Minerals Council of Australia moved to develop the Code in August 1995.
Since then, the Council has consulted minerals companies, industry bodies, state and federal government agencies, and peak non-government organisations - including conservation groups, overseas aid organisations and Aboriginal interests - on the content and application of the Code. Consultation with stakeholders is intended to maximise support for a code that facilitates demonstrable improvement in the environmental management performance of mining companies wherever they operate.
The Code sets a new benchmark for environmental management and reporting and provides considerable challenges for all companies adopting it. Consistent with the Code's theme of continual improvement, signatory companies are expected to take time to implement the Code, with some taking longer than others to achieve full implementation.
It is anticipated that a wide range of minerals companies, representing a large proportion of the industry will become Code signatories.
The Code will be a living document. Guidance notes and other supporting documents will continue to be refined and developed. Consultation with stakeholders will continue. The Code will be formally reviewed in 1999, when signatories will be invited to recommit to the Code.
