The mining, mineral and metal industries are very important to APEC member economies as the majority of global trade and investment in these commodities occurs in the APEC region. Some APEC members are significant producers and consumers of minerals and metals, and many APEC economies derive important economic and social benefits from the development, use and trade of minerals and metals.
From 1996 until 2005, APEC dealt with mining issues through the Group of Experts on Mineral and Energy Exploration and Development (GEMEED). From 2005 until 2007, mining was considered through the Non Ferrous Metals Dialogue (NFMD).
In 2007, APEC Ministers endorsed the establishment of the Mining Task Force (MTF). The MTF derives its mandate from priorities set by APEC Leaders and Ministers and from directions provided by Ministers Responsible for Mining.
At the
15th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Sydney in 2007, Leaders endorsed further economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region and agreed to accelerate efforts towards this objective by, "facilitating integration in sectors such as transportation, telecommunications, mining and energy."
The
2007 Ministers Responsible for Mining Meeting Statement gave direction to economies and the MTF regarding future work. Ministers agreed to APEC Mining Policy Principles, including:
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Pursue policies that enhance the sustainable production, trade and consumption of minerals and metals thereby improving the economic and social wellbeing of our people.
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Foster regular exchange between member economies about experiences with regulations, policies and practices and about significant developments in each economy's minerals and metals sector.
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Foster investment certainty in the APEC minerals sector through the pursuit of open minerals and metals markets and the articulation of clear and predictable investment policies.
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Promote cost effective, evidence based, transparent and objective-based measures which improve the efficiency in the regulation of the minerals industry to contribute to economic, environment and social development outcomes.
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Encourage, support and promote initiatives by the minerals and metals industry and stakeholders that contribute to national and international sustainable development goals.
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Support capacity building activities for sustainable development so that all APEC Economies are able to maximise the benefits and minimise the impacts from minerals resource development.
- Achievements
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The 5th Mining Task Force (MTF) Meeting was held in Big Sky, Montana in May 2011. The MTF members discussed capacity building plans, reviewed alignment of MTF activities with APEC priorities and the growth strategy. They also considered the status of the ongoing dialogue with the EU on the classification of chemical substances and nickel alloys.
In 2010, a workshop on "Balancing Competing Demands of Mining, Community and the Environment to Achieve Sustainable Development in the Mining Sector" was held which targeted government officials and industry representatives in developing APEC economies. In addition to building members' capacity with respect to mine rehabilitation and reclamation, the workshop helped members implement policies that incorporated a deeper consideration of the environmental and social implications of mining.
A "Conference on Sustainable Development of Mining Sector in the APEC Region" was held in July 2009 in Singapore. The Conference focused on how to apply the concept of sustainable development in the mining sector in APEC based on the comprehensive review of the latest trends in this sector. A report was compiled on the findings of the project. In February 2011, the final report on “Sustainable Development in Mining in APEC” was presented to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD).
A Workshop on "Creating a Framework for Corporate Social Responsibility Stakeholder Dialogue: Mining Industry Operations" was held in September 2009 in Peru to intensify the dialogue among governments (in particular, local representatives), industry, and civil society groups regarding how best to improve the efficiency, transparency and accountability concerning the sustainable development of an economy's natural resource endowment at the local, regional and national levels.
The 6th Mining Task Force (MTF) Meeting took place in February 2012 in Moscow, Russia. The MTF discussed and endorsed its annual work plan, which includes plans to advance structural reforms in mining and metallurgy, encouraging green initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability of resources, and to serve as a platform for member economies to exchange information on new technologies in mining.
Russia will host the 4th Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Mining (MRM4) 27-28 June 2012 in St. Petersburg.
Planning is underway for Phase 2 of a project on “Capacity Building of Mining Stakeholders in APEC Economies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).” The project aims to promote responsible and sustainable mining practices in APEC economies through a multi-stakeholder training program on CSR. Teaching notes and a CSR trainer’s guide specific for mining will be produced.
Dr Alexey PINCHUK (Mr)
Chair
Deputy Director of the Department for Basic Branches of Industry
Ministry of Industry and Trade
7, Kitaygorodsky proezd, 109074,
Moscow RUSSIA
Tel: +007 (495) 632-87-09
Email:
Dr Alexey IVANOV (Mr)
Chair's Office
Principal specialist-expert, Unit of Non-ferrous metallurgy
Department for Basic Branches of Industry
Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Tel: +007 (495) 632 87 89
Email:
Dr Azimuddin BAHARI (Mr)
Vice Chair
Undersecretary, Minerals and Geosciences Division
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia
Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar
Level 13, Wisma Sumber Asli
Bahagian Mineral dan Geosciences
No 25, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 4
62574 Putrajaya
Tel: 603 8886 1433
601 3630 2762 (mobile)
Fax: 603 8888 0291
Email:
Jeswant Kaur Mastan Singh (Ms)
Vice Chair's Office
Principal Assistant Secretary
Minerals and Geosciences Division
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia
Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar
Level 13, Wisma Sumber Asli
Bahagian Mineral dan Geosciences
No 25, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 4
62574 Putrajaya
Tel: 603 8886 1717
601 9621 2120 (Mobile)
Fax: 603 8888 0291
Email:
Natalie NII (Ms)
Program Director
APEC Secretariat
Email:
Task Groups
SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation