Global Reporting Initiative: DCAF-ICRC recommendations strengthen reporting standards on mining

The recently released GRI 14: Mining Sector 2024 addresses the growing disclosure and due diligence obligations expected of mining companies. The new GRI Standard identifies 25 topics as material issues to report on due to their impacts on the environment, workers, and local communities, as well as their possible contribution to human rights violations, political instability, and conflict.

The DCAF-ICRC Partnership submitted a number of recommendations in response to the open call by GRI to comment on the GRI 14: Mining Sector draft. Our recommendations have made a tangible impact on the new GRI Standard. Specifically, DCAF-ICRC successfully advocated for the inclusion of references to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in topics '14.25 Conflict-affected and high-risk areas' and '14.14 Security practices'. This inclusion highlights the significance of promoting respect for human rights and international humanitarian law within the mining sector. Moreover, the DCAF-ICRC submission was instrumental in emphasizing the importance and interconnectedness of security arrangements and conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAS). The final text underscores the significance of addressing security-related risks to communities, workers, and business operations. Additionally, the DCAF-ICRC Toolkit received recognition in the "resources" section, acknowledging its value in supporting informed decision-making and responsible practices.

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards are a comprehensive set of standards widely used by companies in reporting their impacts on the economy, environment, and people. The new GRI Sector Standard for Mining represents a significant advancement, promoting greater accountability through comprehensive reporting.

Read our submission here.

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