... We welcome the report’s recognition of ICMM’s Indigenous Peoples and Mining Position statement as a significant step forward for the industry. This position statement forms part of a broader set of commitments that member companies adhere to when they join ICMM.

ICMM’s Mining Principles define good practice environmental, social and governance requirements for the mining and metals industry. The Mining Principles include robust performance expectations relating to human rights and Indigenous Peoples, and social performance...

The report highlights that it is important for companies to have robust policies in place that set out their commitments and approach to free prior and informed consent, and to engaging with Indigenous communities. The report suggests that Rio Tinto, BHP and Freeport McMoRan, the three ICMM member companies mentioned, do not have public policy commitments, and/ or do not adequately reference commitment to ICMM’s position statement. This is incorrect... However, the report rightly points out that policy adoption alone is insufficient. Our members recognise that engagement with Indigenous Peoples and free prior and informed consent is a challenging area that they do not always get right, seen most recently in the tragic events at Juukan Gorge. This is why at ICMM we work together to strengthen management approaches, from peer learning and sharing of best practice, to engagement with experts and development of guidance and resources to support members and the wider industry...