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PRESS RELEASE

Information Release

In Paris, on 25-26 May 2000, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME) convened an international workshop to consider developing a Code of Practice for the use of cyanide in the gold mining industry.

On 30 January 2000, an accident involving cyanide occurred in Baia Mare, Romania, focussing public attention on the risks associated with gold mining. Although the immediate consequences of the accident have since been dealt with, this did not prevent the resurgence of considerable public concern as well as concern in the mining industry itself. While this type of accident remains an infrequent occurrence, the actual and potential consequences of cyanide can be very harmful.

The industry has recognised this and has decided, for its part, to support an initiative to further improve management systems.

In all countries where mining operations represent a substantial industry, there are government regulations relating to mine safety. In addition, many major mining companies have their own internal standards guaranteeing the security of operations. The fact remains however, that at the present time, there is no one single international Code specifically for the use of cyanide in gold mining.

The purpose of this workshop was to initiate the process of drawing up such a Code and the management system which follows from it.

This workshop brought together 40 delegates representing selected major mining companies and industry associations, the Gold Institute, the World Gold Council, various governments, suppliers of cyanide, the United Nations, the European Commission, the OECD, the World Bank, NGO’s, experts and consultants.

The workshop confirmed the importance of a Code of Practice for the industry and established a procedure for the development of this Code. The delegates :

• identified the issues and principles that could be included in an industry Code of Practice and management system guidelines;

• identified the importance of the promotion, acceptance, implementation, verification and reporting in relation to the Code;

• acknowledged that both large and small gold mining companies will have to be brought into the process; and

• agreed that a Steering Committee be established to provide oversight and guidance, and to set a timetable to develop a draft code based on a process of multistakeholder consultation.

The overall long-term objectives of the Code are to drive improved performance in mining through high standards of technology, management and control and to provide the public with the confidence that their expectations for the industry are being addressed.

At the close of the workshop, Mr. Fritz Balkau, Chief of Production and Consumption from UNEP pointed out: "This meeting was a significant development in that it was the first time that a group from the mining industry met to develop a Code on environmental issues on a global basis. We have been able to bring together the representatives of the main stakeholders throughout the world and we have managed to set common objectives in a very short period of time. We expect that the implementation of such a Code will reduce the frequency of serious accidents involving the use of cyanide and produce a greater degree of environmental and public security from mining operations."

In agreeing with the above statement, Mr. Gary Nash, Secretary General of ICME, was encouraged "by the commitment of the industry to this project and the constructive contributions of all stakeholders".

For more information

Fritz Balkau, UNEP
fax: + 33 1 44 37 14 50
email: fbalkau@unep.fr

Gary Nash, ICME
fax: + 1 613 235 2865
email: gnash@icme.com