Industry & Policymakers Toolkit On Responsible Mining Practices

The document outlines a framework for responsible mining of transition minerals, focusing on protecting carbon-rich ecosystems, upholding Indigenous rights through Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and implementing rigorous climate-integrated impact assessments. It advocates for standardized Scope 1-3 emissions reporting, digital traceability, and a shift toward a circular economy to reduce virgin metal demand. Additionally, it proposes equitable benefit-sharing models, such as co-ownership and sovereign wealth funds, to ensure a just energy transition.

• Mining operations are increasingly encroaching on critical carbon sinks, with a 2023 study indicating that nearly half of all mining concessions are located in heavily forested areas and over 58,000 intersect with protected areas.
• The failure to secure Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from Indigenous Peoples can lead to significant project delays, legal challenges, and financial losses, as demonstrated by the Fosen Vind windfarm in Norway where licenses were invalidated by the Supreme Court in 2021.
• Indigenous-led conservation is highly effective; a 2024 study of 648 initiatives found that 85% of cases where communities had full decision-making authority showed positive ecological results, compared to only 18% where they had limited or no authority.
• Many mining projects suffer from a reporting gap in emissions transparency; while 74% of leading companies disclose Scope 1 emissions, only 15% report Scope 3 data.
• Circular economy strategies can significantly reduce the need for new extraction; for example, recycling scrap copper, aluminium, or nickel can save up to 95% of the energy required for primary production.
• Equitable benefit-sharing is essential for a just transition, with models like Canada's Mining-Indigenous Relationship Agreements shifting from simple payments toward equity stakes and governance rights to create intergenerational wealth.
• The document recommends establishing legally binding 'no-go zones' for irreplaceable carbon stores, such as peat bogs, tundra, and mangroves, to prohibit mineral exploration and extraction.
• Climate-integrated Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) are necessary to avoid locking in high emissions, with Canada's Impact Assessment Act (2019) serving as a model by requiring assessments to examine how projects affect the government's ability to meet climate commitments.

APA

Global Witness (2026). Industry & Policymakers Toolkit On Responsible Mining Practices. https://globalwitness.org/documents/1021/Industry_and_policymakers_toolkit_on_responsible_mining_practices.pdf

Chicago

Global Witness. Industry & Policymakers Toolkit On Responsible Mining Practices. 2026. https://globalwitness.org/documents/1021/Industry_and_policymakers_toolkit_on_responsible_mining_practices.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Witness |title=Industry & Policymakers Toolkit On Responsible Mining Practices |date=June 2026 |url=https://globalwitness.org/documents/1021/Industry_and_policymakers_toolkit_on_responsible_mining_practices.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalwitness2026industry, author = {{Global Witness}}, title = {{Industry \& Policymakers Toolkit On Responsible Mining Practices}}, institution = {Global Witness}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://globalwitness.org/documents/1021/Industry_and_policymakers_toolkit_on_responsible_mining_practices.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }