$18trn investor coalition outlines recommendations for more more responsible mining sector

Written by Sophie Smith

03/11/2025

A commission of institutional investors has outlined recommendations for a more socially and environmentally responsible mining sector.

The recommendations were made by the Global Investor Commission on Mining 2030, a multi-stakeholder commission supported by global investors managing or advising US$18trn of assets.

The 10-year vision for the mining industry, published just a week before the start of COP 30, is intended to offer a pathway for institutional investors to address topics in the mining sector that could slow the sector’s ability to meet the growing demand for metals and minerals required to deliver global clean energy and digital infrastructure.

In particular, the report stressed the need to consolidate market expectations of mining companies and the key role that users of mined products need to play to support responsible mining, outlining a variety of recommendations.

Intended to support a vision of continuous improvement across the mining sector, there is an explicit focus on the role of investors and the principles needed to enable the finance sector to tackle short-termism and seize an opportunity to level the playing-field for responsible mining operators, while also meeting the global mineral demand required to roll-out the clean energy and digital infrastructure needed.

In particular, the group recommended creating an independent International Minerals Agency (IMA) to monitor global demand and supply of minerals, as well as ensuring that environmental, social and governance (ESG) and other data providers adopt more nuanced assessments in their frameworks and methodologies so that the mining industry is not by default ranked poorly relative to other industrial sectors.

It also encouraged broader support for market mechanisms that create incentives for companies to raise their standards whilst challenging ESG policies, filters and indices to not automatically penalise the mining sector and instead encourage miners that demonstrate credible improvement of practices.

Alongside this, the group called for a framework to assess the mining regulations of sovereign bond issuers and how countries are governing the mining industry and the risks and opportunities that may materialise from this.

It also emphasised the need to address an anticipated shortfall in financial provisioning for mine closure as well as backing the creation of a Global Legacy Fund to tackle social and environmental impacts of legacy mine sites.

Royal London Asset Management head of responsible investment, Ashley Hamilton Claxon, said: “I welcome the Mining 2030 Commission’s report as a vital step toward rebuilding trust in the sector.

"Investors need to play their part to support and reward companies that demonstrate credible, independently assured practices and a commitment to continuous improvement.

"Responsible mining is essential to the low-carbon transition, and those who lead with integrity will deliver long-term value for people and planet. This framework sets a clear path for companies to align with investor expectations and drive meaningful change.”

The commission also has backing from the US$128trn global investor network, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and has received technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme.

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