Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Minerals Council of Australia welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties in relation to the consideration of the Minamata Convention on Mercury (the Convention).

The MCA represents Australia’s exploration, mining and minerals processing industry, nationally and internationally, in its contribution to sustainable development and society. MCA member companies are signatories to Enduring Value – the Australian Minerals Industry Framework for Sustainable Development, the principles of which are consistent with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The MCA is also implementing the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM), safety, environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance system. TSM will help companies evaluate, manage and consistently communicate site level sustainability performance. TSM is independently verified and will reinforce the sector’s commitment to continual improvement in ESG performance.

The MCA supports Australia’s ratification of the Convention and recognises the importance of protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions. With 131 parties having ratified the Convention as at 30 June 2021, it is important the Australian Government make a decision on ratification in the near future as this would provide Australia with voting rights and a stronger voice in the development of guidance material for the Convention.

For example, it is understood that guidance material on mine tailings will be considered by the Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention in early 2022. To ensure Australia’s interests are represented on this issue it would be desirable for a decision on ratification to occur within a timeframe that allows Australia to participate in these and other deliberations, if the government intends to ratify the Convention.

The MCA has engaged with the government throughout the review of the Convention.  Accordingly, the MCA wishes to take this opportunity to note several issues raised through this review process.

Read the full submission here: