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Mercury Risk Management

POSITION STATEMENTFebruary 2009

Policy 2010-1

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RECOGNITION STATEMENTS

ICMM members recognize:

1 mercury is a metal that is transported globally in theatmosphere and has potential adverse human health andecological effects

2 although the scientific understanding of mercury is stillevolving, enough is known and understood to warrant

taking action to reduce mercury releases to theenvironment

3 no ICMM member company owns or operates primarymercury production facilities; however, there are aspectswithin some operations that contribute to the globalmercury load through air emissions, supply to the globalmarket of elemental mercury or mercury compoundsrecovered as a result of pollution control, naturallyoccurring mercury compounds in some products (e.g.minerals and concentrates), and recycling ofmercury-bearing products (e.g. lamps and switches)

4 significant progress has already been made in reducing

mercury air emissions at ICMM members operations andby users of those products

5 mercury recovered from our environmental managementactivities is a preferred source of mercury over othersources (e.g. primary mercury mining) for use inapplications that are necessary and important forsustainable development particularly for economicdevelopment and improving social welfare in developingcountries

6 at such time when policy and economically viablelong-term technological solutions for the retirement ofmercury exist, the mercury supply from ICMM membersoperations can be integrated into a strategy of gradualreduction and elimination

7 studies show that the informal sector of artisanal andsmall-scale gold mining (ASM) is a relatively large globalconsumer of elemental mercury and may be the source ofsignificant mercury released to the environment everyyear.

8 within the socio-economic and political complexities ofthe ASM issue there are opportunities to contribute tomore sustainable livelihoods in this sector through thetransfer of technology that improves productivity andreduces reliance on mercury

9 mercury is an issue that requires action at a global leveland the importance of responsibly managing mercury incollaboration with key stakeholders.

COMMITMENTS

In addition to existing commitments under theICMM Sustainable Development Framework andthe Strategic Approach to InternationalChemicals Management (SAICM), ICMMcompany members will:

1 not open any mines designed to producemercury as the primary product

2 apply materials stewardship to promote theresponsible management of the mercuryproduced from ICMM members operationsincluding that which naturally occurs in ourproducts

3 identify and quantify point source mercury airemissions from our operations and minimizethem through the application of cost effectivebest available technology, using a risk basedapproach

4 report significant point source mercury air

emissions from our operations consistent withour commitment to report in accordance withthe GRI framework

5 participate in government-led partnerships totransfer low- to no-mercury technologies intothe ASM sector in locations where ICMMmember companies have operations in closeproximity to ASM activity such that livelihoodsare enhanced through increased productivityand reduced impacts to human health.

6 through ICMM, encourage the development ofsound science on the fate and transport ofmercury as well as natural sources of mercury

in the environment

7 work on an integrated multi-stakeholderstrategy through ICMM to reduce andeventually cease supplying mercury into theglobal market once policy and economicallyviable long-term technological solutions forthe retirement of mercury are developed.

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www.icmm.com

ICMM

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Phone: +44 (0) 20 7467 5070Fax: +44 (0) 20 7467 5071Email: info@icmm.com

www.icmm.com

ICMM

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) wasestablished in 2001 to act as a catalyst for performanceimprovement in the mining and metals industry. Today, theorganization brings together 19 mining and metals companiesas well as 30 national and regional mining associations andglobal commodity associations to address the core sustainabledevelopment challenges faced by the industry. Our vision is oneof member companies working together and with others tostrengthen the contribution of mining, minerals and metals tosustainable development.

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