Mr. Chairperson,

1. Mining and the consumption of minerals is indispensable for development.

2. Mining provide the means for poverty eradication, driving growth and enhancing standards of living among others through revenues, job opportunities, creating non-mining opportunities for local populations.

3. However, these benefits and more have yet to be fully realized particularly in developing countries. The main disadvantage that many developing countries have is the lack of institutional and technology capacity, which is often exploited and used as a means to leverage greater benefits for the demand side.

4. Consequently, developing countries are often left to inherit the arduous task of performing the environmental cleanup without the sufficient funding. The environmental challenge of mining is not the only consequence that governments of developing countries have to deal with. There are also the associated negative social repercussions particularly health issues, which developing countries are often ill equipped to effectively handles.

5. There is a need to clearly define the respective responsibility of the supply and demand side upon mine closure, particularly when it comes to environmental liability for site remediation and clean-up. Therefore, it is necessary to:

a. Ensure transparency on the demand and supply side by promoting good governance, and establishing a strong regulatory framework as well as strengthen monitoring for Corporate Social Responsibilities. There needs to be a clear and consistent process throughout the mining cycle from governance, civil society, and local people;

b. Provide technology transfer without additional charges. Access to technology for developing countries particularly green technology is very crucial to support sustainable development;

c. Strengthen technical capacities of national institutions dealing with mining, notably in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Actions include investing more in research and scientific capacity and upgrading technical education and training. Technical and managerial training for the mining sector needs to include sustainable development content. In this regard, capacity building by developed countries to developing countries needs to be supported;

d. Acknowledge local people and indigenous knowledge in mining activities.

Thank you.