Working for Nature

The mining industry is highly dependent on nature, from water provision to supply chain continuity, our members are working to ensure that their actions are appropriate to the different landscapes in which they operate.

ICMM members are operating in ways that recognise:

Mining impacts nature; we are accountable for minimising harm and transforming our relationship with nature.

Indigenous Peoples are vital partners. We respect the deep knowledge and connection that Indigenous Peoples have with the land on which we operate.

Collaboration across sectors is essential for success. We will engage and collaborate with stakeholders to support a nature positive future for all.

Robust measurements to monitor progress are critical. We will continue to support the collective development of these.

Stories From the Field

Nature positive is a business imperative and our industry has an important role to play.

Find out just some of the ways that members are taking action today.

400 billion trees: Partnering to protect the world's largest rainforest

The fate of the Amazon rainforest remains pivotal in the struggle to reverse the decline of nature. Teeming with an astonishing array of flora and fauna, it serves as an immense reservoir of biodiv...

Championing conservation: How mining is shaping nature and development with communities

In their work to help create a nature positive future, ICMM members are partnering with governments and local communities to shape the impact of mining and metals operations on an area’s environmen...

Clean water and sanitation for all: How ICMM members are taking action on sustainable water use

Water is a precious resource. Mining operations require water, but operational needs must be balanced with the needs of local ecosystems and communities. It is critical that water is managed carefu...

Climate change impacts nature. Nature impacts climate change

Climate change is happening. The year 2023 has been confirmed as the hottest on record for global average temperatures. The impacts of this warming can be seen in more frequent and severe storms, f...

Discover a better future for nature on a journey though South America

South America is an exceptionally vibrant part of our world, blessed with rich biodiversity, complex ecosystems and awe-inspiring landscapes. ICMM members are committed to reverse the loss of natur...

Discover protected natural spaces around the world

Nature and the landscapes of our world are under threat. It is more important than ever to conserve and protect what is left, and to restore what has been damaged. The Global Biodiversity Framework...

eDNA: The new science behind measuring biodiversity

Biodiversity is the living pulse of our planet, from the smallest microorganism to the giants of the African savannah. It underpins the delicate balance of countless ecosystems, which are vital for...

Green Horizons: Safeguarding areas of outstanding natural beauty

The world is full of beautiful landscapes that are under threat – and once lost, they may be gone forever. ICMM members have committed to helping create a nature positive future, halting and revers...

Guardians of the Earth: How Indigenous Peoples can teach the world to safeguard and conserve biodiversity

For hundreds of years, Indigenous Peoples around the world have held integral roles as protectors of their surrounding territories, environment and resources. While representing less than 5 per cen...

How biodiversity monitoring is proving to be critical to conserving species and managing ecosystems

Biodiversity and ecosystems are being lost at an alarming rate as climate change and other human-induced drivers take their toll on nature. ICMM members are committed to reversing this trend and co...

How old mines became havens for nature

Minerals and metals are vital for the world’s economy and in underpinning the world’s transition to sustainable and clean energy provision. While disturbance to local areas is inevitable in any min...

How the circular economy can change the world

The world’s economies have not always operated in the best interests of the environment, but today we have the power to change this, putting the natural world at the forefront of business decisions...

How TNFD is shaping nature-positive outcomes

Nature underpins the global economy. But the natural world is being lost at an unprecedented rate, with species extinction at 100-1,000 times historical norms. Despite this, most corporations, inve...

ICSV: A nature positive approach

Mining plays a crucial role in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions by supplying the minerals and metals necessary for renewable energy technologies, clean transportation, and sustainable i...

Innovation for land restoration

Remediation and restoration work is a key part of every mining project. Innovative projects to work out better ways to restore landscapes are underway throughout the world, as ICMM members help to...

Key takeaways for mining from the Global Biodiversity Framework

Nature is being lost at a staggering rate, with global species extinction rates 100-1,000 times faster than historical norms. This is not just a disaster for the richness and variety of the natural...

Nature has all the best solutions

The natural world is under threat. Species are being lost at 100-1000 times the historical rate with human activity and climate change the main drivers. As humans, when we consider how to begin to...

Nature's allies: Mining's role in protecting the environment

Minerals and metals play a crucial role in achieving the world’s sustainable development goals. ICMM members have pledged that they must be produced responsibly - the transition to green energy can...

Nature insights: How company disclosures can empower a nature positive future

ICMM members are committing to contribute to a nature positive future. For this work to be credible, it must be supported by robust reporting and disclosures. This means transparent communication o...

Turning the tide: Ways ICMM members are protecting aquatic wildlife

The aquatic world is suffering. Below the surface of the earth’s oceans, rivers and lakes, biodiversity and ecosystems are under unprecedented pressure from human activity. The mining and metals in...

What are wetlands, and why are they so important for the environment?

ICMM members understand that they are temporary custodians of the land on which they operate. They are committed to making as little environmental impact as possible during mining operations as wel...

What causes tailings, and what can we do to reduce their impact on nature?

While mining uses less than 0.1 per cent of the world’s land, its impact can be considerable in ecologically and culturally sensitive areas. ICMM members are committed to helping work towards a nat...

What inspires you?

Mining companies understand that they have a responsibility to look after the land, freshwater, oceans and atmosphere where they operate. ICMM members are committed to responsible stewardship and a...

What is nature positive?

At its most fundamental level, nature positive means "ensuring more nature in the world in 2030 than in 2020 and continued recovery after that” (Nature Positive Initiative, 2023). It is a global go...

What is No Net Loss, and how can it be a tool for nature positive action?

Nature is being lost at an unprecedented rate, with severe consequences to the global economy as well as wildlife. At its heart, a biodiversity No Net Loss commitment helps companies examine and un...

What is the mitigation hierarchy? Here's what you need to know

Biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate with hundreds of species becoming extinct every year, orders of magnitude above historical norms. In response, ICMM members are committed to helping c...

Working with water to benefit nature, communities and business

Nature is formed of four realms, two of which relate to water: freshwater and oceans. Home to a wealth of biodiversity and vital planetary functions, water is essential to the health, wellbeing and...