Adapted from the ICMM Good Practice newsletter London, United Kingdom
The International Council of Mining & Metals (ICMM), of which Newmont is a member, has confirmed its commitment to responsible mercury management in a position statement that includes a broad recognition of the health risks posed by mercury, and makes a number of commitments as part of ICMM's commitment to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.
The statement was developed partly in response to ongoing discussions under the United Nations Environment Program, which are aimed at developing effective ways of reducing the global adverse impacts on health and the environment from mercury.
ICMM member companies are already committed to reducing emissions of mercury into the atmosphere and local environment. Newmont, and its fellow ICMM members, recognize that the supply of mercury to the global market needs to be properly managed, that adequate disposal and/or storage mechanisms for excess mercury need to be identified and solutions found for problems arising from the use of mercury in artisan and small-scale gold mining.
Newmont has publicly committed to retire by-product mercury from circulation by 2012.
