This report first presents the main components of a legal framework for environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) in mining and then examines the following three jurisdictions
A modern legislative regime for mining draws clear lines of responsibility and accountability while establishing a foundation of good governance that leads to shared benefits and mitigates negative effects over the full life cycle of a mine, from the early days of exploration through to the post-mining transition.
Modern legal frameworks often use a permitting process requiring developers to submit and employ integrated environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) and related tools, such as environmental and social management plans and closure plans.
These tools require a supportive legal framework that addresses timing, scope, implementation, monitoring, and enforcement processes to effectively provide governments and other stakeholders with a roadmap for managing impacts and optimizing social and economic benefits related to mining.
ESIAs help governments plan and coordinate efforts for enhanced environmental management and protection of their communities, which can lead to climate change mitigation, employment opportunities, skills development in a post-closure era, shared infrastructure, and integrating women into decision-making processes to foster gender equality.
A Roadmap for Legal Frameworks for Effective Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Related Tools
Backed by our cornerstone Mining Policy Framework, our experts help governments craft and implement ESIAs so policy-makers have the knowledge and tools to analyze how proposed mining projects will be carried out to ensure they support environmental, social, and economic interests and priorities of governments and communities alike.
We published Guidance for Governments: Improving Legal Frameworks for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Management to provide a roadmap for the ESIA and management process, incorporating practices to aid governments in meeting their sustainable development goals.
Strengthening Governments’ Implementation Capacity
The Secretariat launched the Mining ESIA Tool (MET) to help member governments implement this guidance and identify gaps in their institutional capacity and legal and policy frameworks on ESIAs in mining.
The MET offers a quick scan for high-level diagnostics and a detailed scan for a more comprehensive understanding of strengths and gaps in legal frameworks, from exploration to closure.
The MET process facilitates engagement and dialogue between stakeholders in the mining, social, and environmental spheres.
This tool is available in English, French, and Spanish upon request to the Secretariat at Secretariat@IGFMining.org.
The IGF’s mining-specific tool was modelled on a broader ESY-Map diagnostic tool developed by the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment in collaboration with the Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment.
Additional Resources
Environmental and Social Impact Assessments in Mining Legal Frameworks: California, United States; K
Mine Closure Training for West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) in Ouagadougou
The IGF hosted a WAEMU training in Ouagadougou from June 19-22.
Gender Impact Assessment Tools for Mining Remain on the Shelf
The gap between the broad range of available tools and resources for integrating gender into impact assessments and their lack of use highlights how decision-makers continue to overlook
Gender Impact Assessments: Breaking the pattern of inaction
Gender impact assessments (GIAs) are key to assessing the potential and ongoing impacts of mining operations on people of different genders, ages, and sociocultural backgrounds. However
IGF and NCEA Sign 3-Year MoU to Provide Technical Assistance in Environmental and Social Governance
The IGF and NCEA have agreed to share information and collaborate to provide technical assistance in environmental and social governance in the mining sectors of IGF member countries.