Guía para Gobiernos: Mejorando los marcos legales para la evaluación de impacto ambiental y social y su gestión

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for governments to implement and improve legal requirements for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) in the large-scale mining sector. It details 20 key components of an integral legal framework, covering the entire mine life cycle from exploration to post-closure. The document emphasizes the importance of public participation, financial guarantees for mine closure, and the avoidance of legal stabilization clauses for environmental and social provisions to ensure sustainable development and reduce the risk of international investment disputes.

• An integral legal framework for ESIA should consist of 20 key components, including a commitment to sustainable development, consistency across legal instruments, and coverage of all mine life cycle phases.
• Governments are advised to avoid 'stabilization clauses' for environmental and social provisions in laws and contracts, as these can 'freeze' outdated regulations and hinder the implementation of modern protections.
• Large-scale mining projects and significant expansions should always require a full ESIA process, while advanced exploration or small-scale mines may only require a semi-detailed ESIA based on risk levels.
• Financial guarantees for mine remediation and closure must be established before construction and operation begin, calculated based on sound engineering rather than political negotiation.
• Public participation must be meaningful, constant throughout the mine's life, and include specific guidelines for consulting indigenous peoples, including the requirement for Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)._」
• The guide identifies a trend where many legal frameworks lack detailed requirements for social impact assessments (SIA) or integrated Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), often focusing only on environmental aspects.
• Lack of clear ESIA processes and government review irregularities can lead to costly international investment disputes (ISDS), as seen in cases where investors claimed a violation of the Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) standard.
• Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) is recommended as a tool for governments to define a general vision, land-use plans, and 'excluded zones' where mining is prohibited due to ecological or cultural importance.
• Mine closure planning must be a dynamic process starting early in the life cycle, addressing both environmental stability and the socio-economic transition for dependent communities to avoid 'ghost towns'.
• Gender Impact Assessments (GIA) should be integrated into the ESIA process to address the disproportionate impacts of mining on women, including economic inequality and risks of gender-based violence.

APA

Bruckner, K. D., Naré, C., Hill, J., Nikièma, H. S., Baker, J., & Torres, C. L. (2020). Guía para Gobiernos: Mejorando los marcos legales para la evaluación de impacto ambiental y social y su gestión. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-12/igf-guidance-for-governments-esia-es.pdf

Chicago

Bruckner, Kristi Disney, Clémence Naré, Jenifer Hill, H. Suzy Nikièma, Jill Baker, and Carolina Leseigneur Torres. Guía para Gobiernos: Mejorando los marcos legales para la evaluación de impacto ambiental y social y su gestión. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-12/igf-guidance-for-governments-esia-es.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bruckner |first1=Kristi Disney |last2=Naré |first2=Clémence |last3=Hill |first3=Jenifer |last4=Nikièma |first4=H. Suzy |last5=Baker |first5=Jill |last6=Torres |first6=Carolina Leseigneur |title=Guía para Gobiernos: Mejorando los marcos legales para la evaluación de impacto ambiental y social y su gestión |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2020 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-12/igf-guidance-for-governments-esia-es.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bruckner2020gua, author = {Bruckner, Kristi Disney and Naré, Clémence and Hill, Jenifer and Nikièma, H. Suzy and Baker, Jill and Torres, Carolina Leseigneur}, title = {{Guía para Gobiernos: Mejorando los marcos legales para la evaluación de impacto ambiental y social y su gestión}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-12/igf-guidance-for-governments-esia-es.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }