Edward Bickham is a Senior Adviser to the World Gold Council (WGC) and to ERM Critical Resource. He leads the WGC’s work on artisanal and small-scale mining including the production of the 2022 report ‘Lessons learned on the interface between large-scale mining and ASGM’.
Edward’s career includes acting as Special Adviser to the UK Foreign and Home Secretaries, involvement in the launch of satellite television services in the UK and serving as Global Head External Affairs for Anglo American plc (2000-2010). In the latter role he was responsible for social performance, government relations and political risk, stakeholder relations and internal communications.
Edward has been closely involved in a number of mining sector governance initiatives including serving as a Board member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. He led the consultation process for the development of the Responsible Gold Mining Principles.
He is a former Chair of the Institute of Business Ethics and was until recently a Trustee and Chair of the Programme Committee of development NGO, Care International UK. He is Non-Executive Chair of Levin Sources.
- How can accountability frameworks improve governance of the mining sector and promote sustainable development?
- Collaboration with society and managing both shareholder and community expectations is crucial to addressing sustainability and ensuring systemic change.
- Governments need to play their role in delivering services to local communities – how can governments and companies work more collaboratively to support local communities?
- Mining companies need to understand the local context – what more could companies be doing to engage communities and ensure their rights are respected
Tuesday 07 February 14:15 - 15:00 Roof Terrace
Sustainable Development Day