Vision aims to unlock the investment needed to meet global mineral demand. It sets seven goals for 2035, and path to achieve them.
- Recognising the criticality of the mining sector to meet the needs of growing economies and the energy transition, the Commission launches a 10 Year Vision and Recommendations to support market conditions that reward responsible mining practices while meeting rising demand.
- The Commission sets out a 10 Year Vision with timeline for all mines to be operating to global best practice performance standards, helping reduce risks and unlock opportunities for society, investors, and investor portfolio companies.
- Recommendations include creation of an independent International Minerals Agency (IMA) to monitor global mineral supply and demand as well as illicit mineral flows; investor expectations for mineral purchasers including auto and big tech firms; support for a Global Legacy Fund to tackle post-closure issues; and a dedicated Global Centre for Peacebuilding and Business to be based in South Africa.
- Commission representatives met with President Lula of Brazil on Thursday (30/10), as host of the forthcoming UN climate negotiations (COP 30) to present the Commission recommendations and to discuss the role of governments in supporting a rules-based mining sector.
- Commission Chair Adam Matthews said, “The market is at an inflection point. We can choose to support a vision of responsible mining that addresses the industry’s systemic challenges which in turn would enable long term value generation. Or we can allow the digital and clean energy system of tomorrow to be born of social discord and environmental breaches. The Commission sets out a compelling and practical vision, involving a partnership of governments, companies, investors, workers and other community stakeholders to level the playing field for a responsible rules-based mining system. This vision driven by the long-term interests of companies and investors will deliver real, meaningful benefits for local communities as well as for national
(São Paulo, 03/11/25). An investor-led blueprint, the 10 Year Vision and Recommendations, has been launched to unlock the investment needed to meet global mineral demand, and shape a more socially and environmentally responsible mining sector. The Vision has been created by the Global Investor Commission on Mining 2030, a multi-stakeholder Commission supported by global investors managing or advising $18 trillion of assets including the Church of England Pension Fund, PIMCO, L&G, Allianz Investment Management, Ninety One, ING, Orion Resources Partners, The Council of Ethics: Swedish National Pension Funds and Royal London Asset Management amongst others. The Commission is also supported by the $128 trillion global investor network, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and has received technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme.
Commission Chair Adam Matthews alongside Commission representatives met with President Lula of Brazil and members of his cabinet on Thursday (30/10) as Brazil prepares to host the UN climate negotiations. Further discussions are expected both with the Brazilian Government and other governments on the measures outlined by the Commission.
The Commission’s 10 Year Vision was published on the eve of the world’s largest responsible investment conference, hosted by the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment, one week before the start of COP 30. The Vision offers 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, digital infrastructure and many other sectors society depends upon. It sets out 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. The recommendations support a vision of continuous improvement across the mining sector towards a goal that every mining company should be operating to high performance standards, avoiding and minimising harm, and leaving a lasting value for communities. The Vision is open for consultation from stakeholders from today.
The Commission’s seven ‘2035 goals’ aim for significant progress in the next decade towards:
- Unlocking investment for an industry that is responsible and resilient.
- The mining industry operating to credible and independent performance standards.
- Responsible sourcing being embedded across value chains.
- Regulatory and institutional frameworks and structures that promote effective governance of the mining sector and create an enabling environment for the 10 Year Vision.
- The mining industry engaging meaningfully with stakeholders and distributing benefits equitably and sustainably.
- Reducing conflicts linked to mineral extraction.
- Historic legacies addressed and positive legacies for current operations created.
Specific proposals to deliver the Vision include:
- Creation of an independent International Minerals Agency (IMA) to monitor global demand and supply of minerals; track illicit minerals flows; codify and support best practice legislation as well as provide key data of which companies are progressing towards global performance standards to better inform debt and equity markets.
- Ensuring that 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.
- Supporting market mechanisms which 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.
- Addressing the relationship between conflict and extraction and supporting the creation of a dedicated Global Centre for Peacebuilding and Business and encouraging positive engagement by investors and corporate actors in conflict environments so that the presence of minerals is a catalyst for economic growth and not driving or sustaining conflict or illicit mineral flows to global supply chains.
- A ‘Mining Performance Assessment Framework’ of companies’ responsible mining practices. The Framework will track companies progress and incentivise continuous improvement and support better decision making by investors.
- Investor expectations of auto, big tech and other value chain companies that purchase minerals to drive responsible purchasing.
- 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.
- 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.
The Vision explicitly focuses on the role of investors and sets out principles to enable the finance sector to tackle short-termism and seize an opportunity to level the playing-field for responsible mining operators, while meeting the global mineral demand required to roll-out the clean energy and digital infrastructure we need.
Adam Matthews, Chair of the Global Investor Commission (also Chief Responsible Investment Officer for Church of England Pensions Board, and member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals), said:
“From cobalt to copper, we’re going to need at least 30 million tonnes of new transition metals and minerals. To meet future demand – and ensure a model of mining where sustainability risks such as health and safety, community engagement and environmental performance are managed to the highest global standards – investment alone is not enough. A compelling vision and partnership are needed and a humble recognition that only by owning the challenges together will we enable the best model of mining to become the norm.
“The market is at an inflection point. We can choose to support a vision of responsible mining that addresses the industry’s systemic challenges which in turn would enable long term value generation. Or we can allow the digital and clean energy system of tomorrow to be born of social discord and environmental breaches. The Commission sets out a compelling and practical vision, involving a partnership of governments, companies, investors, workers and other community stakeholders to level the playing field for a responsible rules-based mining system. This vision driven by the long-term interests of companies and investors will deliver real, meaningful benefits for local communities as well as for national economies.”
Barend Petersen, Vice Chair of the Global Investor Commission and Executive Chairperson of De Beers Consolidated Mines, said:
“This is a comprehensive and bold vision that calls for a partnership between investors, companies, governments, workers and wider community stakeholders. This vision is grounded in a belief that mining can positively impact communities whilst meeting global mineral demand. We all have a stake in shaping the responsible mining industry of the future.
“It’s a long-term vision and an inflection point not just for mining companies, but those that provide the investment to the sector and rely upon what is extracted.”
Vicente Mello, Senior Vice President, Chief Executive Brazil, and Advisory Business Line Leader for AECOM’s U.S. East & LATAM region.
“The Commission has made it clear that transforming the global mining industry to support the low-carbon and digital transition requires systemic solutions. These challenges span commodities, geographies, and ownership models. Investors must articulate clear expectations, and we may need new institutions, such as an independent International Minerals Agency, to create the enabling environment necessary to realize this vision.”
Fredric Nyström, Head of Sustainability and Governance, AP3 said:
“The mining sector is fundamental to the global economy, and central to the energy transition. Investors want exposure to the sector’s growth, but only where social and environmental risks are managed responsibly. Mines that build trust will deliver lasting value. A measure of success is how fairly benefits are shared and how openly companies engage with communities. With this vision we are putting in place a path to make that happen, working with partners from across the mining value chain, and finding ways for investors to contribute to realising a socially and environmentally responsible mining”.
Peter Kindt, Global Head Transition Accelerator, ING said:
“Mining is essential for the energy transition and long-term economic growth, yet it faces major underinvestment. The Commission’s Vision offers a roadmap for investors to unlock value by promoting sustainability and improving public perception. Achieving this will require multistakeholder collaboration and new initiatives like an International Mineral Agency.”
Ashley Hamilton Claxon, Head of Responsible Investment at Royal London Asset Management
“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 Vision in its most succinct form is for investors to drive: “A mining industry that can meet global demand by operating to high performance standards, avoiding and minimising harm, and leaving a lasting value for communities by fostering stronger local economies, delivering improved infrastructure, and generating opportunities that extend well beyond the life of the mine.”
The Commission recognises that while investors represent one important stakeholder group within the mining industry, delivering this vision will require collaboration and partnership across the entire ecosystem — including mining companies and other relevant actors.
Released alongside the Vision and Recommendations are Appendices that propose clear Investor Expectations of how both mining companies and mining value chain companies govern and manage environmental and social risks, impacts and issues.