Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry
The Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry, launched in 2006, supports the sustainable development of the Australian minerals industry. The Program is consistent with the objectives set out in the Vision of the former Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources (MCMPR), and in the Minerals Council of Australia's Enduring Value, the Australian mining industry framework for sustainable development.
The Program seeks to promote industry self regulation through the pro-active adoption of leading practice principles. Its objectives are is to:
- INFORM – provide credible information of leading practice sustainable development in the Australian mining industry for the purpose of building greater capacity and understanding to those who have an interest in Australia's mining industry including non-government organisations, mining communities, students and international stakeholders;
- INFLUENCE – seeking commitment to leading practice sustainable development principles from high level decision makers in key organisations such as mining companies, government agencies, regulators, industry bodies, and mining contractors and service providers;
- IMPLEMENT – practically implementing leading practice sustainable development practices at the operational level by on-site mine management and consultants, academics and regulators who work at the site level, provide training for those working at site level or regulating the mining industry.
The LPSD Steering Committee, chaired by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism identified 14 themes which address different aspects of on-site mine management. Handbooks for each of these themes have been developed and are available.
Given the success of the LPSD Program, a reference book titled A Guide to Leading Practice Sustainable Development in Mining has been produced to complement the 14 handbooks. The reference book draws together the key messages of the handbooks throughout the life of a mine, and includes case studies on Australian and global leading practices.
The Social Responsibility in the Mining and Metals Sector in Developing Countries [
PDF, 40KB] handbook draws upon leading practice examples from Australian companies operating both domestically and internationally and complements the LPSD message that wealth distribution, community development, environmental protection, health, education and human rights is the business of both governments and mining companies.
 | For Further Information & Handbook Orders:
LPSDP Secretariat
Department of Resources, Energy & Tourism
sdmining@ret.gov.au |