This report provides an analysis and case studies that highlight how strategic environmental assessment (SEA) can improve mining sector governance.
A modern legislative regime for mining draws clear lines of responsibility and accountability while establishing a foundation of good governance that leads to shared benefits and mitigates negative effects over the full life cycle of a mine, from the early days of exploration through to the post-mining transition.
Modern legal frameworks often use a permitting process requiring developers to submit and employ integrated environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) and related tools, such as environmental and social management plans and closure plans.
These tools require a supportive legal framework that addresses timing, scope, implementation, monitoring, and enforcement processes to effectively provide governments and other stakeholders with a roadmap for managing impacts and optimizing social and economic benefits related to mining.
ESIAs help governments plan and coordinate efforts for enhanced environmental management and protection of their communities, which can lead to climate change mitigation, employment opportunities, skills development in a post-closure era, shared infrastructure, and integrating women into decision-making processes to foster gender equality.
A Roadmap for Legal Frameworks for Effective Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Related Tools
Backed by our cornerstone Mining Policy Framework, our experts help governments craft and implement ESIAs so policy-makers have the knowledge and tools to analyze how proposed mining projects will be carried out to ensure they support environmental, social, and economic interests and priorities of governments and communities alike.
We published Guidance for Governments: Improving Legal Frameworks for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Management to provide a roadmap for the ESIA and management process, incorporating practices to aid governments in meeting their sustainable development goals.
Strengthening Governments’ Implementation Capacity
The Secretariat launched the Mining ESIA Tool (MET) to help member governments implement this guidance and identify gaps in their institutional capacity and legal and policy frameworks on ESIAs in mining.
The MET offers a quick scan for high-level diagnostics and a detailed scan for a more comprehensive understanding of strengths and gaps in legal frameworks, from exploration to closure.
The MET process facilitates engagement and dialogue between stakeholders in the mining, social, and environmental spheres.
This tool is available in English, French, and Spanish upon request to the Secretariat at Secretariat@IGFMining.org.
The IGF’s mining-specific tool was modelled on a broader ESY-Map diagnostic tool developed by the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment in collaboration with the Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment.
Partnership with the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment
In 2023, the IGF announced a 3-year agreement with the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) to share information and collaborate in providing technical assistance in environmental and social governance in the mining sectors of IGF member countries. The IGF and the NCEA have collaborated on training workshops in Burkina Faso and Mali, and co-authored a report Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Mining Sector: Lessons from Country Case Studies.
Additional Resources
Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Mining Sector: Lessons from country case studies
PDAC Side Event | Prosperity Unearthed: Building trust through benefit sharing
An EITI-IGF-GIZ organized session exploring how benefit sharing can build trust between stakeholders to underpin the mining sector’s growth.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessments in Mining Legal Frameworks: California, United States; K
This publication contrasts legal frameworks for environmental and social impact assessments at varying stages of development in three mineral-rich jurisdictions.
Mine Closure Training for West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) in Ouagadougou
The IGF hosted a WAEMU training in Ouagadougou from June 19-22.
Gender Impact Assessment Tools for Mining Remain on the Shelf
The gap between the broad range of available tools and resources for integrating gender into impact assessments and their lack of use highlights how decision-makers continue to overlook
Gender Impact Assessments: Breaking the pattern of inaction
Report on the IGF and Global Affairs Canada co-organized event focused on how key actors can support more inclusive gender impact assessments in the mining sector.
IGF and NCEA Sign 3-Year MoU to Provide Technical Assistance in Environmental and Social Governance
The IGF and NCEA have agreed to share information and collaborate to provide technical assistance in environmental and social governance in the mining sectors of IGF member countries.
PDAC Side Event | Gender Impact Assessments: Breaking the pattern of inaction
The IGF and GAC hosted a side event during the 2023 PDAC convention to discuss gender impact assessments.
The Importance of Consultation and Engagement in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments
Exploring case studies illustrating how different jurisdictions have further integrated mechanisms into their legal frameworks to address Indigenous Peoples and mining conflict.
Global Review: Integrating Gender Into Mining Impact Assessments
This report takes stock of the toolkits, guidelines, and legal frameworks that have been devised and used by governments, international organizations, and civil society organizations to