The ICMM’s nature-position statement aligns with the aims of performance area 19 (Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Nature) of the CMSI, a draft of which was recently out for consultation. 

The challenge of these nature-positive commitments 

ICMM’s position statement builds on the structure of earlier carbon commitments. Although the approach is similar to those earlier initiatives, the process itself will be quite different.   

“Biodiversity is not like carbon,” says Dr. Kyle Knopff, a Senior Principal Ecologist with WSP’s biodiversity team. “It is intrinsically local – there's no global unit of biodiversity value that's interchangeable everywhere across the planet”. An experienced terrestrial ecologist, Dr. Knopff knows biodiversity is distinct at every mine site. “If you are an organization with a site in West Africa, a site in Australia, and a site in northern Canada, every single one of them is going to be different and unique.”  

The solutions companies choose for each site will be, by necessity, equally unique. However, some of the elements will be common across all sites, which can help companies establish a starting point.  

Take water, for instance.  

Double materiality and reporting commitments 

Water is fundamental to the mining process. It’s also a good illustration of double materiality: the ability to both affect and be affected by nature. Mining impacts local water quality, which has further implications for life associated with that water. But mining also depends on water to function.  

Going forward, mining companies must carefully consider not only how to track but also how to report both their nature-related dependencies and the methods they will use to address and mitigate the potential risks those dependencies pose to their business both now and in the future. Sometimes impact will outweigh dependencies, or the reverse. Dr. Knopff explains. “In many parts of northern Canada, for instance, water is everywhere. The impact side of the equation can be significant: mining and exploration companies must demonstrate that they’re not polluting lakes and streams and managing surface water appropriately. But from a dependency perspective, plentiful water is readily available, and thus water availability is not a significant risk to operations. However, the amount of water that must be managed will vary over time due to climate change. In future, perhaps mining flooding could be an issue. These potential future risks must also be accounted for.”  

Conversely, mines in more arid parts of the world, or where water is needed for other users (e.g., agriculture, drinking water), water availability may pose a significant risk. Climate change and increasing human demand are making water a precious resource in many parts of the world where supply was previously stable. In 2024, Phoenix underwent 100 days in a row of 100°F temperatures. The Colorado River is producing less water than it used to, with significantly more demand. In these circumstances, dependency becomes a significant issue, and the risks pertaining to water availability assume greater importance in addition to managing extreme weather events.  

How to begin 

The mining industry has a vast well of existing knowledge and capabilities which can be harnessed to meet the new requirements. The sector has measured and tracked nature-related metrics for decades, and this longstanding focus means they are much more prepared and ready than other sectors. The next step is to extract the relevant data already being collected, to implement the necessary on-the-ground activities and achieve beneficial outcomes.  

We have worked with mining leaders and early adopters for more than a decade, encouraging companies to understand that biodiversity is a core asset to be protected. “We help companies navigate the complexities of moving this process forward,” says Dr. Knopff. Understanding the implications of a no net loss commitment is critical to this process and WSP is particularly well positioned to provide this insight and support realistic target setting as we did for IAMGOLD. “We have hands-on experience working with clients to define their baseline conditions and amalgamate their existing data to efficiently express those conditions.” Using top-tier GIS resources to maximize client’s own data, our team assists companies to quantify impacts and outline the actions needed to achieve their goal of no net loss by closure.   

That goal is not an impossibility. Ambatovy, the high-profile nickel and cobalt mine in Madagascar, is poised to successfully deliver no net loss of forests at the site. WSP undertook a biodiversity assessment and mitigation planning for the project. “Ambatovy is an example of a mine already working to achieve the outcomes laid out in the ICMM position statement. This is what we mean when we say the mining sector is ahead of the game in many respects,” says Dr. Knopff. Having robust data to draw on will be helpful, especially as some of the deadlines for ICMM position statement are quickly approaching. 

Start now

“The ICMM position statement introduced some rapidly approaching timelines,” Dr. Knopff explains. “By 2026 members must be already in the process of implementing actions around their existing operations. They’ll need to make rapid choices: to use a 2020 baseline or an earlier one; and to select which specific activities to undertake, and in what order. Once the strategic plan has been set and the actions implemented, members will need to report back to the ICMM on their direct operations by 2026. By 2030, they’ll also need to report on their broader value chain impacts and dependencies.”  

Now is the time to begin. Dr. Knopff agrees. “If you intend to follow the ICMM guidelines and report in 2026, you’ll want start as soon as you can. Beyond the ICMM requirements, there’s also increasing pressure from governments. The CSRD in Europe has mandatory reporting requirements which cover biodiversity and ecosystems alongside other environmental topics. Aligned with this, the TNFD offers robust guidelines to get started - although adoption of the disclosures is voluntary. If you want to be a successful part of the initiative, start as soon as possible, and get good help.”