Responsible Mining Index

The extraction of minerals and metals is often associated with major challenges for resource-rich developing countries. The practices of large mining companies play a decisive role to assure that the developing countries can indeed benefit from this major potential richness. There is a need for making information on environmental, social and economic practices of mining companies comparable and freely available and thus reducing the information asymmetry. Switzerland has a particular responsibility in this regard as one of world's leading centers of commodities trading and processing.

The Responsible Mining Index aims to have the following impact: Minerals and metals mining positively benefits the economies, improves the lives of people and respects the environments of producing countries, particularly in some of the world’s poorest regions. It will do so by encouraging continuous improvement in responsible mining practices by large-scale mining companies.

Outcome 1: Increased awareness by large-scale mining (LSM) companies and other stakeholders of what society expects from LSM companies on EESG issues.

Outcome 2: More informed engagement and discourse between LSM companies and other stakeholders.

Outcome 3: Improvement in transparency and disclosure of public-interest data by LSM companies.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

Output 1.1: RMI methodologies are published and regularly updated.

Output 1.2: Key stakeholders are identified, consulted and informed on responsible mining practices.

Output 2.1: Index Reports published with comparative data on emerging and leading responsible mining practices.

Output 2.2: Translations of RMI reports and mine-site information into multiple languages.

Output 2.3: Free publication of RMI reports and methodologies as a public good, in open data formats.

Output 2.4: Scope of RMI encompasses all types of LSM companies, most commodities, and a wide geographic range.

Output 2.5: RMI engagement events, with LSM companies and other stakeholders.

Output 3.1: Publication of RMI data, both at company-wide and mine-site level.

Output 3.2: Emphasis of RMI methodology on public disclosure of public-interest data.

Output 3.3: RMI disclosure requirements include adherence to open data principles, to encourage mainstreaming of open data in mining company disclosure practices.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

During phase one, a robust organization with a professional governance structure was build from scratch. A solid methodology was developed, based on extensive stakeholder consultations in Peru, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Mongolia, India and Indonesia. Relevant stakeholders, including the International Council on Mining and Metals (which represents 23 of the largest mining companies in the world) support the direction of the methodology. Finally, the Responsible Mining Foundation has established a wide-ranging network of influential contacts, and has started leveraging the influence of the Index through stakeholder engagement and industry discourse. This includes an impressive progress in engaging China as the biggest mining country.

Phase 2 01.03.2018 - 30.06.2021   (Active)