Institute of Development Studies

Mining in conflict or high-risk countries: The challenges of security provision and respecting human rights

• Dates: 8 November 2011
• Time: 13.00 - 14.30
• Location: IDS Convening Space

1. Introduced John Ruggie’s ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework’ and Guiding Principles, and the particular emphasis that Ruggie has attached to conflict-affected countries (for example, in Guiding Principle 7).
2. Given John Ruggie’s emphasis on conflict-affected countries, Davy considered how can companies identify which countries (or regions) are conflict-affected?
3. Briefly outlined ICMM’s proposed approach to due diligence and focus on some of the challenges of conducting due-diligence in difficult operating environments.
4. Discussed the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs), and the particular relevance that the VPs has to reducing the risk of ‘gross-human rights abuses’ being linked to business activities.

Listen to the speakers

Listen to Aidan Davy (speaker), Xavier Cirera (moderator) and Daniela Castaldo (attendee) discuss what they think the biggest challenge is for business operating in areas of conflict; the global implications and what they took from the seminar. Hear the interviews on Mixcloud above

Key points from the seminar

• Ruggie framework and Guiding Principles provide a route map for companies operating fragile areas – but need sector specific interpretation
• Trusted sources of information – and knowing how they are constituted – is critical
• Companies need to balance their potential for positive influence with potential to exacerbate conflict
• Security is a critical risk for mining and metals companies
• Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Code of Conduct (ICoC) for Private Security Service Providers provide basis for managing the risk – but understanding operational context is fundamental.

Listen to Aidan Davy's seminar on the challenges of security provision and respecting human rights, when mining in conflict or high risk countries

About the speaker

Davy is responsible for ICMM's Community and Socio-economic Development Program, including issues relating to Human rights and Indigenous Peoples. He also leads ICMM’s work on sustainability reporting and independent assurance. Aidan has over 24 years of cross-sectoral experience on sustainable development issues, working with a range of private, multi-lateral and not-for-profit organisations, including the World Bank and International Finance Corporation in Washington DC.

The ICMM was established in 2001 to act as a catalyst for performance improvement in the mining and metals industry. Today, the organisation brings together 19 mining and metals companies as well as 30 national and regional mining associations and global commodity associations to address the core sustainable development challenges faced by the industry. ICMM’s vision is one of member companies working together and with others to strengthen the contribution of mining, minerals and metals to sustainable development.

For more information on this seminar, or any others in the series, please contact Vivienne Benson. This event is part of the 'Conflicting Interests' Business and Development seminar series, hosted by IDS' Globalisation team.