Business collaboration for human rights: building HRDD capability in the mining sector

18 March 2025

What role can collective action play for business and human rights?

At twentyfifty, we work closely with leading mining companies and recently had the fantastic opportunity of designing and delivering workshops in Peru and South Africa for ICMM, focusing on operationalising Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) for the mining sector. twentyfifty Sector Director (Industrials, Tech & Finance) Caroline Vail reports.

I’ve worked across the industrials, technology and finance sectors for 20 years, often in high conflict areas. Through my role with twentyfifty, I’ve seen first-hand how collaboration can contribute to progress and positive change. Our HRDD training for ICMM was a great example of this.

Tailored HRDD workshops

ICMM is a global leadership organisation working towards a safe, just and sustainable world enabled by responsibly produced minerals and metals. It’s membership accounts for one-third of the global industry.

In 2023, ICMM published updated HRDD guidance to support the mining industry to proactively manage human rights impacts. twentyfifty worked with ICMM on developing an HRDD workshop, based on the guidance, to support member organisations to build their capability to apply a human rights lens to mining operations and supply chains.

We provided advice on practical application of tools and frameworks across the lifecycle and worked on how to build support with internal stakeholders and cross-functional collaboration.

We trained 160 people in total, spanning 17 companies in South Africa and 20 companies in Peru. We ensured that the workshops were designed and tailored for the sector profile and each country’s unique contexts, challenges and opportunities.

Participants included human rights leads, social performance managers and heads of procurement as well as external relations, legal, impact, transformation and HR personnel. The workshops were delivered both in-person and virtually and designed to facilitate collaboration amongst participants through practical exercises and case studies.

A safe space for HRDD discussion

One of the most valuable things businesses can do to address social and human rights issues is learn from each other. When companies share knowledge gained from their own challenges and experiences, it unlocks ideas, engagement and opportunities.

One of twentyfifty’s many unique strengths is our convening power, including facilitation skills that enable transparent and respectful discussion between businesses on shared sectoral challenges to draw out valuable insights and best practice. It is always rewarding to see this coming to life among people in a room together.

We created a safe space for ICMM trainees to enjoy engaging and often lively discussion. We discussed the importance of HRDD, and considerations across the mining lifecycle. Members shared and explored common challenges in implementing HRDD through hypothetical scenarios.

We shared our expertise and worked together to address issues such as community land rights, resettlement, supply chain due diligence, working in conflict affected areas, artisanal and small-scale mining, and security, and the importance of engaging with Indigenous Peoples.

We connected decision-makers from across the mining sector, discussing factors affecting the entire supply chain, from the communities working in and around mines to the rights of contractors and subcontractors in shipping and logistics, and end customers.

Internal influence

A core part of the interactive workshop was discussing how members can engage, influence and motivate stakeholders within their organisations – an essential part of embedding HRDD.

We explored and identified individual aims and priorities, and developed personal action plans to enable members to effect positive and lasting change within their contexts.

Among my many takeaways from the training workshops for ICMM was inspiration from each member’s clear commitment to share with – and learn from – each other, within this complex sector.

The twentyfifty team left feeling energised and excited to follow developments, and we are looking forward to delivering the training for ICMM again this year in two global locations.

Cross-functional collaboration

Collaboration has a clear business case. In the past year we’ve seen more businesses in industrials, technology and finance willing to work together to push their whole sector forward.

For companies to work with other companies, they need to align internally too.

At twentyfifty, we also work with clients to engage cross-functional teams, helping to prevent human rights issues from being dealt with in isolation.

A good example is through our work on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence. We support human rights and environmental teams to come together to explore align on practical solutions from the start.

Discuss HRDD training with twentyfifty

twentyfifty training leads to lasting change and new behaviours that a robust HRDD approach requires.

Through in-person and virtual workshops tailored to your business’ unique needs, we can support your teams to

• meet policy commitments and regulatory requirements
• develop leadership capacity
• increase employee engagement, and more

Get in touch with our team to chat about how we can work with you at info@twentyfifty.co.uk.