SECOND MEETING OF APEC MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR MINING
Gyeongju, Korea
20 October 2005
Joint Statement
Introduction
1. We, the Ministers Responsible for Mining representing APEC
Member Economies, convened our Second Meeting in Gyeongju, Korea, on October 20,
2005, presided by Chairman Hee-Beom Lee, Minister of Commerce, Industry and
Energy of the Republic of Korea.
2. In the spirits of the APEC 2005 and MRM2, themes of
"Towards one community" and "Towards the future of mining" respectively, we
recognized, especially in the era of globalization, the need for establishing a
common view on the development of the region's mineral resources. This view,
which should transcend borders, aims to foster sharing and prosperity,
recognizing the different mineral resources endowments and development stages of
economies.
3. As noted in the first APEC Meeting of Ministers
Responsible for Mining (MRM1) in Chile, we recognized that the APEC is the
world's largest producer and consumer of mineral resources, and the minerals and
metals sector is an important growth engine to member economies.
4. We welcomed the Business Dialogue that was held on October
19, 2005 as side event of MRM2, which was attended by senior industry and
government representatives in the APEC region. The participants of the Dialogue
indicated a benefit from regular meetings to strengthen and enhance the
cooperation between the business sector and governments.
5. We discussed and analyzed three main issues for minerals
and metals, recognizing the two issues of the MRM1 in 2004.
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Market Transparency and Trade Facilitation
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Promoting and Facilitating Mineral Exploration and
Development
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Mining and Sustainable Development
Market Transparency and Trade Facilitation
6. We noted that the mineral resources market has been
volatile in recent years with demand outpacing supply in some regions. We, thus,
recognized the need to improve market transparency and facilitate trade through
information-sharing, recognizing that more transparent information on minerals
and metals market, including better data on salient statistics, can improve the
functioning of minerals and metals market and possibly yield a better balance of
supply and demand.
Promoting and Facilitating Mineral Exploration and
Development
7. Recognizing the importance of the minerals and metals
sector to economic growth of APEC Economies, we agreed on:
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The need to foster mineral exploration and development as a
way to promote the long-term viability of the sector
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The importance of ensuring that the investment and
regulatory climates for mining are conducive to domestic and foreign
investment
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The need to facilitate exploration through the availability
of geoscientific information
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The importance of strengthening mining-related fora in APEC
to promote exchange of information between governments and to enhance
consultation with the industry sector
Mining and Sustainable Development
8. We recognized that the mining sector increasingly faces
environmental and social challenges. We also recognized the contributions that
are being made by mining, minerals and metals to sustainable development. The
task for government and the mining industry is to ensure that mining proceeds in
a way that balances social, economic and environmental considerations. We agreed
that:
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With effective management, mining can contribute to
economic and social development within APEC, while minimizing environmental
impacts
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The trade in, and use of, minerals and metals and their
products are facing new challenges in regional and multilateral fora
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Mining has made significant strides in improving
productivity and energy efficiency and thereby contributing to sustainable
development.
Action Items
9. We agreed to examine ways to improve the functioning of
minerals and metals markets through efforts, such as information sharing, to
improve transparency.
10. We agreed that Expert Group on Minerals and Energy
Exploration and Development (GEMEED) can contribute to our common objectives
through an examination of current challenges, both institutional and otherwise,
to the trade in minerals and metals within APEC and globally.
11. We agreed that GEMEED examine ways to contribute to
facilitating exploration and development within APEC.
12. We agreed that GEMEED should facilitate the establishment
of Mining Industry Forum to provide industry perspectives and suggest key issues
for consideration by Ministers.
13. We agreed that GEMEED explore ways to improve the
activities of the APEC Network of Minerals and Energy Data (ANMED), in order to
promote information sharing among APEC economies.
14. We agreed that for sustainable development of the mining
industry, GEMEED encourage information exchange and cooperation on
environment-friendly mining technology, such as energy efficient technology, and
mining pollution control technology as well as after-mining land management.
15. We agreed to continue to monitor, share information and
communicate our concerns about the European Union's proposed chemicals
legislation Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH), as
well as other regulatory initiatives of interest, such as Strategic Approach to
International Chemicals Management (SAICM).
16. We agreed to direct GEMEED to develop the strategic plan
included in the Work Plan approved and attached to this Statement.
