ICMM upstream value chain analysis
This project brings together industry, consultancy expertise and academic research to generate practical, evidence-based insights for ICMM members on how their upstream value chains impact nature and how these impacts can be managed and reduced.
Research Cluster
Research partners
Tami Putri (The Biodiversity Consultancy), A/Professor Laura Sonter (University of Queensland), Jessica Nicholls, Environment Manager, ICMM; Will Wardle, Senior Program Officer, ICMM
Project team
Sam Hickman, Professor Brendan Wintle, Dr Billy Geary, Dr Tim Werner, Matthew Selinske (RMIT)
Contact
Project Summary
In collaboration with The Biodiversity Consultancy and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the Melbourne Biodiversity Institute undertook a project to assess ICMM members’ maturity in understanding how features of their upstream value chains impact nature, and to identify which upstream activities generate the greatest nature-related impacts across members.
The work was conducted in two stages. First, a survey was distributed to ICMM members to identify high-spend and high-impact upstream value-chain categories, as well as key knowledge gaps and barriers to effective action. Second, internal upstream value-chain assessment reports prepared by ICMM member companies were reviewed and synthesised into generalised insights and guidance applicable across the membership.
What are we interested in?
Mining companies can exert substantial impacts on nature, yet there is limited publicly available literature examining the upstream impacts of mining value chains. As economies transition toward greener and more sustainable systems, understanding and addressing nature-related impacts across the full mining value chain is increasingly critical.
This project brings together industry (ICMM), consultancy expertise (The Biodiversity Consultancy), and academic research (MBI) to generate practical, evidence-based insights for ICMM members on how their upstream value chains impact nature and how these impacts can be managed and reduced.
Outcomes / activities
Key outcomes included the identification of the most high-impact upstream value-chain categories in which mining companies are engaged.
Building on this work, MBI will continue to collaborate with The Biodiversity Consultancy and ICMM to develop actionable guidance to help ICMM members better understand their specific upstream value chains and implement measures to reduce their impacts on nature.