(Justmeans.com / CSR News) - ICMM’s Ben Davies attended the SETAC (Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) World Congress in Sydney from 4 - 8 August. The event, which takes place every four years, is the leading forum for professionals involved in risk assessment and environmental sciences including toxicologists, chemists and economists as well as regulators and policy makers.

Speaking in a session on sustainability in mining and metals, Ben Davies presented the ICMM Sustainable Development Framework as a model for continuous improvement of sustainable development practice in the mining industry. The concept of materials stewardship was also highlighted as a means of optimizing the performance of the whole life cycle of the materials and products the industry creates.

The theme was continued by Chris Stamford of the Australian Government (Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources), who outlined the Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program it has introduced for the mining industry. ICMM’s Materials Stewardship concept, along with regional initiatives such as the Mining Council of Australia’s Enduring Value, were acknowledged as important frameworks for improving life cycle performance and maintaining the industry’s social license to operate. Peter Glazebrook of Rio Tinto presented several industry case studies highlighting the value of undertaking appropriate stewardship actions.