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Protecting the sustainable future of the communities in which we operate has never been more important for us here at Anglo American.

To ensure that we positively contribute to local communities and economies, we recognise the importance of cross-industry partnerships and collaboration.

And that’s why our Chief Executive Mark Cutifani, co-chair of the KIN Catalyst: Mining Company of the Future initiative was in New York last week – to help launch a new approach to sustainable mining: the Development Partner Framework.

Forging a new path for mining

An industry-wide approach to ethical mining

Created by members of the KIN Catalyst: Mining Company of the Future initiative, the framework seeks to inspire and support the mining industry to adopt a new way of thinking and a new approach to how it secures, nurtures and progressively revitalises its social license to operate.

The process of creating the framework began back in early 2012 at a KIN Catalyst conference held in Brazil. At the event, the gathered delegates agreed that there was a strong need for a new operating model to ensure long-term profitability and success for the mining industry.

It was determined that mining companies must reposition themselves as strategic partners for broader sustainable development and exercise their capacity to facilitate and coordinate amongst all relevant partners. And that means working with a diverse range of sectors including government, faith-based organisations, community associations and academic institutions.

Following the event, a working group was established to create the Development Partner Framework so it could be readily applied by all mining organizations at all stages of the mining life-cycle.

A vision for the future

At the heart of the framework is a simple idea: mining needs to be conducted with a shared purpose based on the long-term aspirations vision of host communities, and in a way that creates flourishing ecosystems and competitive companies, communities and countries.

It sets a vision and path for the mining industry to:

  • Correct negative impacts from yesterday;
  • Minimize the negative and maximize the positive impacts of today; and
  • Plan for a prosperous, sustainable tomorrow beyond the mine.

“Society's expectations of the mining industry continue to increase and there is a growing recognition in the industry that incremental improvements to how we run our business are not enough,” Mark shared during his presentation at the public launch.

“Our aspiration is to fundamentally change the extractive business model of the mining industry from insular and reactive, to an integrated and proactive development partner, delivering on economic, environmental and social shared purpose.” 

Following Mark’s address at last week’s launch, a diverse panel discussion followed, moderated by Peter Bryant, and consisting of Rev. Séamus P. Finn, OMI (OIP Investment Trust, Chair of Board, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility), Ray Offenheiser (CEO, Oxfam America) and Mark Podlasly (Senior Advisor, First Nations Energy and Mining Council and Member, Nlaka’pamux Nation).

During the discussion, Peter Bryant, senior fellow at KIN, remarked that the gathered delegates had an opportunity and responsibility to set the mining industry on a new path that will transform its future.

"We've brought together a creative coalition of leaders across multiple sectors of society. Over the past two years, they've helped us set a new direction for the mining industry and we're excited to bring new players into the conversation through today's event."

Injecting established ways of working with new views and opinions means that our industry remains adaptable and innovative. Incorporating new approaches and using new tools, such as the Development Partner Framework, mean that a sustainable future for mining is fast becoming an achievable one.

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