The International Council on Mining and Metals has published guidance to support the mining and shipping industries to minimise the risk of accidents in maritime transportation.
Thε ICMM’s Mining Principles aim to implement effective risk-management strategies and systems based on sound science to ensure products can be used and transported safely.
Carrying out an accurate hazard assessment is a critical element of this, and the provisions set out in this guidance, will support operators to ship and transport vital ores and concentrates safely.
Sarah Bell, Director of Product Stewardship at ICMM, said:
The safe production and transport of minerals is central to ICMM’s commitment to a safe, fair and sustainable mining and metals industry. This is therefore a critical piece of work in helping to support ICMM members and the wider industry as they think about their hazard assessment processes. Regulation in maritime transportation has come on a long way since the guidance was first published, and it is vital to reflect this to reduce the risk of accidents and protect people and planet
In addition, Chris Barrington, Chief Adviser, International Iron Metallics Association and Chair of ICMM’s Working Group on Maritime Regulation, noted that mining activities produce a wide range of ores and concentrates that are shipped across the globe for further processing into metals. Ores and concentrates vary in their chemical and physical properties – and their mineralogy – and therefore in the potential hazards they present for shipping.
