Emerging countries stand to benefit

The global economy of the 1990s will mean increased trade and investment in emerging countries on the principle of sustainable development, a trend which international experts predict may result in reduced poverty and a healthier environment.

This upbeat message was delivered by a number of speakers at the recent Globe ’92 environmental conference held in Vancouver, B.C. The mining industry is expected to play a role in helping emerging countries make the transition to environmentally sound technology and practices because of its commitment to operate internationally with the highest environmental standards.

But the message still isn’t selling well with the more radical environmental groups who view the global economy as nothing more than an opportunity for multinationals “to export pollution.” Some of the groups objected to the Globe ’92 process as a vehicle for companies to make themselves “look greener than they really are.”

But these views were effectively refuted by mining companies’ representatives who explained to delegates how and why their companies operate in foreign countries with the same standards used at home.

This commitment is reflected by a recent initiative launched by the Mining Association of Canada and Noranda Minerals Chairman Keith Hendrick to have mining companies develop an international environmental stewardship program. The resulting new organization, the International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME), has as its mission “to promote the development, implementation, and harmonization of sound environmental and health policies and practices to ensure the safe production, use, recycling, and disposal of nonferrous and precious metals.”

The council helped develop guidelines for mining with a variety of organizations, including the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Canadian members include Noranda, Cominco, Falconbridge Gold, Placer Dome and American Barrick, while United States members include Asarco, Phelps Dodge, Magma Copper, Doe Run, Minorco and Freeport McMoRan. Companies from Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Australia are also represented.