A Guide to a New Grievance Mechanism for the Mining Industry, with Emphasis on Chinese Corporations
Also available in Spanish, French, and Bahasa Indonesia
As of May 2023, people impacted by the mining industry have a new forum to raise environmental and social concerns.
The new mechanism, called the Mediation and Consultation Mechanism for the Mining Industry and Mineral Value Chain, is also the first grievance mechanism applicable to many Chinese corporations engaged in the mining and mineral value chain.
A person, community, organization, or company can file an application alleging that any actor in the mining and mineral value chain has not complied with international environmental and social standards and seek redress for negative impacts.
The Mediation and Consultation Mechanism was established by industry associations and is voluntary and consensus based, without a compliance review function. It does not have the power to require any party to participate in the process or enforce any agreement by the concerned parties.
This guide is designed to help explain the Mechanism’s procedures for individuals and communities harmed by corporate behavior.
This mechanism is new, currently in the pilot phase, and has yet to manage any cases. Based on the mechanism’s written procedures, Accountability Counsel and Inclusive Development International offer this guide for people trying to understand what to expect from the mechanism, styled as commonly asked questions and answers. We will update this guide as and when more information becomes available.
Disclaimer: This guide is based on Accountability Counsel and Inclusive Development International’s independent interpretation of the Mediation and Consultation Mechanism Procedures. In case of any doubts, please refer to the original Procedures Document. All citations below refer to the Procedures Document.
Read the full report in English, Spanish, French, and Bahasa Indonesia.
