ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability has just signed a cooperation agreement with Itaminas Mineração, a benchmark in innovation and sustainability within the mining sector, for the development of an innovative agenda that unites the environment, social impact, community safety, and public governance. This partnership consolidates Itaminas' strategic vision, expressed in its ES²G concept – an acronym that uniquely brings together, for the mineral sector, the pillars of Environment, Social, Safety, and Governance. More than an institutional commitment, ES²G reflects the company's ambition to transform mining into a driver of human development and environmental regeneration, focusing not only on the company's internal performance results but primarily on the impacts for society and the territory in which it operates.

A milestone for Brazilian mining

Under the agreement signed, ICLEI will conduct, in partnership with the Sarzedo City Hall, the application of the international Voluntary Local Review (VLR) methodology to map local indicators connected to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project also includes the creation of a Materiality Matrix to guide the company's social and environmental investments, as well as the implementation of Social Return on Investment (SROI) to measure, with concrete data, the real impact of Itaminas' actions on the community.

In practice, this means that Itaminas will invest in concrete actions, connected to the SDGs, but with a direct impact on the daily lives of the population. In the environmental field, for example, one of the focuses will be on improving the water quality of the Cachoeira de Sarzedo Natural Park, a symbolic space for the city. Ecological recovery projects, public use infrastructure, and bathing suitability monitoring are part of the agenda. 

In the social sphere, the goal is to go beyond expanding existing programmes: the partnership with ICLEI will enable Itaminas to adopt methodologies for measuring the social impact of each initiative, ensuring that investments generate more opportunities for the population, and that they help people to prosper and effectively improve the quality of life of residents – particularly in the most vulnerable neighbourhoods surrounding the mine. “The agreement with Itaminas is a powerful example of how the private sector can take a leading role in territorial transformation. By adopting international methodologies and bringing the community to the centre of decisions, we are helping to build a replicable model of responsible and regenerative mining, which combines economic development, social justice, and climate resilience. Sarzedo now has the opportunity to become a benchmark not only for Brazil, but for all of Latin America,” says Rodrigo Perpétuo, Executive Secretary of ICLEI South America.

The signing of the agreement with ICLEI, one of the most respected global institutions in the field of sustainable development, reinforces Itaminas“ credibility and commitment to an ESG agenda of excellence. The partnership confers international legitimacy on the company's strategy, positioning it not only as a cumpridora de obrigações legais but as a protagonist of a new generation of mining, driven by impact, transparency, and territorial innovation. ”This initiative ushers in a new paradigm. We want to demonstrate, with evidence and methodology, that it is possible to carry out mining regeneratively, contributing directly to making Sarzedo a more resilient, prosperous, and happy territory,“ states Thiago Coelho Toscano, president of Itaminas. ”Our goal is for the neighbourhoods surrounding our operation to be the best places to live in the city – and for this to be proven by social and environmental indicators."

The mayor of Sarzedo, Rita de Cássia, also celebrated the initiative: “This agreement marks a new era for Sarzedo. Alongside Itaminas and ICLEI, we will build more effective public policies, based on data and dialogue with the community. It is an important step to make our city a benchmark in well-being, sustainability, and participatory governance.”

Safety as a shared value

Of particular note among Itaminas' commitments is safety, not just within its operations but also as a community value. The company already works with the State Civil Defence and will collaborate on the implementation of the UN's global Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) programme, transforming Sarzedo into a model of resilience against natural and human disasters.

Governance that overflows

Recognised for its internal governance, Itaminas is now moving forward to also support public governance. In conjunction with ICLEI and the Sarzedo City Council, the company will support the structuring of a Municipal Governance Council, with multi-sectoral participation, replicating typical private sector practices in public management.

International recognition

The initiative puts Itaminas on track for global ESG certifications and awards and good governance practices, such as the B Corp Certification, the Ethical Boardroom Awards and the Global Good Governance Awards, consolidating its position as a world benchmark in innovation in the mineral sector.

About Itaminas

A Itaminas is a Brazilian iron mining company with a sustainable and innovative approach. Headquartered in Sarzedo (MG), it aims to integrate its production with the generation of social, environmental, and economic value for all its stakeholders.

About ICLEI

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of over 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in over 125 countries, ICLEI influences sustainability policies and drives action for zero-carbon, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI is the focal point for Local and Municipal Governments (LGMA) at both the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Therefore, it has UN consultative status, acting as a spokesperson for local and regional governments in international dynamics.

In Brazil, it has over a hundred associated governments, comprising 11 states and 86 municipalities (all Brazilian state capitals). Its objective is to translate global environmental agreements into local action, offering access to knowledge, partnerships, and training to drive systemic change for urban sustainability.