IHRB-University of Queensland Sustainable Minerals Institute Partnership on the Extractive Sector

The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) and IHRB have forged closer ties, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the extractives sector and human rights.

The SMI is a leading research centre committed to improving the social performance of the resources industry globally. The IHRB is an international think tank on business and human rights, working to shape policy, advance practice and strengthen accountability of governments and business.

SMI Director Professor Chris Moran said the agreement brought benefits to both organisations:

“UQ will benefit in being able to work closely with some of the world’s leading experts in human rights and business, while we are able to share our expertise in the global mining industry.”  

The MOU outlines various ways in which the two organisations will collaborate, including joint research and information exchange on the extractives sector, convening sector and human rights experts on key challenges and dilemmas, and professional sabbaticals and research support for both Institutes.

SMI’s Associate Professor Deanna Kemp, who leads the Institute’s Extractives and Communities Program is also a board member of IHRB, said the agreement reflected the strength of UQ’s work in community relations and human rights:

“We work with mining companies around the world and engage with them for better outcomes on sustainable development and human rights.” 

IHRB’s Executive Director John Morrison said he was delighted to formalise IHRB’s relationship with UQ:

“IHRB will be able to contribute our knowledge and experience of human rights and effective approaches to preventing impacts on people to the strong network the Sustainable Minerals Institute has with the sector.”