The Group of Eight (G8) in its Summit Declaration Growth and Responsibility in the World Economy, dated June 7, stated that certification systems such as the International Cyanide Management Code are suitable instruments for increasing transparency and good governance in the extraction and processing of mineral raw materials. The group recognized that such systems can reduce environmental impacts.
The G8 reaffirmed its support for several existing initiatives including the International Cyanide Management Code and encouraged the adaptation of the respective principles of corporate social responsibility by those involved in the extraction and processing of mineral resources.
The declaration was issued during the 6-8 June annual G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany. The G8 is an international forum for the governments of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The declaration can be obtained at: http://www.g-8.de/Webs/G8/EN/G8Summit/SummitDocuments/summit-documents.html.
The Code is a voluntary program for the safe and environmentally sound management of cyanide used in gold mining. By becoming signatories to the Code, gold mines and the producers and transporters of the cyanide used at the mines commit to implement the Code’s best management practices, have their operations evaluated for compliance by independent professional auditors, and make the results publicly available on the Code web site. The Code was developed under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme by a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee, and completed in 2002. The Code is intended to complement an operation’s existing obligation to comply with the applicable laws and regulations of the political jurisdiction in which the operation is located. Today, the Code has 28 signatories, covering 96 operations, in 21 countries.
ICMI has been established to administer the Code, promote its adoption, evaluate its implementation, and manage the certification process. A detailed list of the operations covered by signatory companies’ applications, along with the full text of the Code and its implementing and administrative documents, are available at www.cyanidecode.org.
Date:
Monday, June 25, 2007