OREANDA-NEWS. The UK-based International Council on Mining and Minerals (ICMM) has released new guidance on the way mining companies can help achieve the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).  

The SDGs were initially adopted at a special UN Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015 and form a set of 17 individual targets that aim to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future.

These goals can be used by member states to frame their development agendas for the next 15 years.

ICMM CEO Tom Butler said: “Our new guidance helps mining companies look at the contributions that they can make to achieve the sustainable development goals across their operations.

“There is great alignment between ICMM’s ten principles for sustainable mining and the SDGs".

At the time of launch, the UN recognised the important role being played by business to achieve the objectives.

ICMM said it has mapped how the ten principles that underpin sustainable development in the mining industry relate to the UN’s goals.