ICMM Launches Community Development Initiative in China

ICMM Launches Community Development Initiative in China

November 13, 2006

    BEIJING, Nov. 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The
International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has
released a Mandarin language version of its Community
Development Toolkit with the support of the China
International Mining Group (CIMG). The publication,
produced in partnership with the World Bank and the Energy
Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP), contains 17
practical "how to" tools that cover a mine's
operational stages from exploration through to closure.

    (Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/200611101115.jpg )

    "Community development is a key element of ICMM's
core mission -- the Toolkit enables our members and others
to demonstrate their commitment to the local communities
where they operate" said Kathryn McPhail, ICMM
Principal. 

    The Community Development Toolkit, originally published
in November 2005, is designed to foster closer relations
between mining companies, communities and governments, in
order to support sustainable community development
activities that last beyond the life of a mining operation.
The Mandarin version of the Community Development Toolkit
will be one of the most comprehensive documents of its kind
in China.

    Nigel Clark, CIMG Chairman added "The Mandarin
version of the Community Development Toolkit will form an
integral part of the CIMG's mission in China, which is to
promote sustainable business outcomes in the country's
mining sector". 

    The Toolkit, which can be applied at mining operations
anywhere in the world, has its roots in southern Africa.
The project concept was originally conceived at a joint
workshop held in November 2000 for members of the Southern
African Development Community. 

    The Mandarin version of the toolkit contains numerous
instances of successful initiatives currently undertaken in
southern Africa. For example, the Palabora Mining Company, a
member of the Rio Tinto Group, has worked in partnership
with local people to develop the Titirheleni Community
Gardens in the province of Limpopo, South Africa. The
Gardens feeds families and provides incomes, and training
in financial management and technical skills that have
enabled the project to become self-supporting.

    Copies of the Toolkit are available at
http://www.icmm.com and http://www.cimg.org.cn . Hard
copies are available on request.

    About International Council on Mining and Metals
(ICMM)

    The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)
is a CEO-led organization representing the mining and
metals industry internationally. An important part of its
mandate is dedicated to sustainable development. ICMM
comprises many of the world's leading mining and metals
companies as well as regional, national and commodity
associations, all of which are committed to improving their
sustainable development performance and to the responsible
production of the mineral and metal resources society
needs. ICMM's vision is a viable mining, minerals and
metals industry that is widely recognized as essential for
modern living and a key contributor to sustainable
development. 

    ICMM's 15 corporate members are:

    Alcoa, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, BHP Billiton,
CVRD, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Lonmin, Mitsubishi
Materials, Newmont, Nippon Mining & Metals, Rio Tinto,
Sumitomo Metal Mining, Teck Cominco, Xstrata, Zinifex.

    ICMM's 24 association members are:

    Camara Minera de Mexico, Chamber of Mines of South
Africa, Cobalt Development Institute, Consejo Minero de
Chile A.G., Eurometaux, Euromines, Federation of Indian
Mineral Industries, Indonesian Mining Association,
Instituto Brasileiro de Mineracao, International Aluminium
Institute, International Copper Association, International
Wrought Copper Council, International Zinc Association,
Japan Mining Industry Association, Lead Development
Association International, Minerals Council of Australia,
Mining Association of Canada, Mining Industry Associations
of Southern Africa, Nickel Institute, Prospectors and
Developers Association of Canada, Sociedad Nacional de
Miner¨ªa, Sociedad Nacional de Miner¨ªa Petr¨®leo y
Energ¨ªa, World Coal Institute, World Gold Council.

    About China International Mining Group (CIMG)

    The China International Mining Group (CIMG) is a forum
for International mining and service companies plus
individuals with interests in creating sustainable business
opportunities in China's mining industry.  The CIMG aims to
promote sustainable investment and best business practice
in the mining sector through sharing non-competitive
information and addressing issues of common concern to
potential mining investors in China by providing channels
for dialogue with the relevant authorities.

    The CIMG is an official industry-working group of the
China-Australia Chamber of Commerce in Beijing (AustCham
Beijing).  The CIMG is supported by the Australian Embassy
in Beijing, British Embassy in Beijing, British Chamber of
Commerce in Beijing, Canadian Embassy in Beijing, the CCBC,
DIFID and South African Business Council.

    CIMG's 10 Sustaining Sponsors are: 

    Anglo American Beijing; AngloGold Ashanti Limited;
Asian American Coal; BHP Billiton China; Mundoro Mining;
Oxiana (China) Limited; Rio Tinto Limited Beijing
Representative Office; Teckcominco Limited; Sustainability
and The Swann Group

    For more information, please contact:

     Ben Peachey
     International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)
     Tel:    [phone]
     Mobile: [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail]
     Web:    http://www.icmm.com

     Auslan Ishmael
     China International Mining Group (CIMG)
     Tel:    [phone]
     Mobile: [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail]
     Web:    http://www.cimg.org.cn

SOURCE  China International Mining Group (CIMG)