Global metals and mining leaders have backed Nornickel’s proposal to develop an international roadmap for combating illegal trafficking of precious metals and create a Declaration on Business Ethics in Information Security.

Today, the Security Committee of the International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA) opened its annual joint meeting in Vienna chaired by Nornickel. The meeting’s agenda focuses on coordinating the efforts of IPA members and exploring potential formats of public-private partnership in combating illegal trafficking of precious and non-ferrous metals.

The participants discussed the first (analytical) stage of research done by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The research helped collect comprehensive data on the use of illegal trade in precious and non-ferrous metals as a regular source of funding by organised crime groups. Initiated by Nornickel, the project received support from Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Federal Customs Service, as well as the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation and police representatives.

According to Major-General Sylvia Ledwaba from the South African police, the resolution of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is a powerful legal tool to combat illegal trafficking of precious metals, but unfortunately it is incapable of eliminating numerous loopholes in local laws and the lack of enforcement powers and specially trained forces in relevant national agencies. “There is no denying these facts. Now it is all about taking real steps to help law enforcement agencies and businesses crack down on illegal trafficking of precious metals,” she said.

As commented by Roman Gudov, Head of Nornickel’s Corporate Security Department and Co-Chairman of the IPA Security Committee, the next stage of the UN-supported research will see the development and implementation of practical tools to block the majority of illegal flows of raw precious metals.

“At present, we are working with our South African partners, the UNICRI and UNODC to draft an international procedure setting forth relevant methods and mechanisms. We believe that this roadmap should be adopted as an official document. To this effect, we are now making a list of potential state parties (Russia, South Africa, Peru, Columbia, etc.) and discussing the involvement of more project donors and setting up of an expert group that will bring together representatives of the IPA, other countries and international organisations. The roadmap will take several years to finalise, and together with UNICRI findings may serve as a basis for the new UN resolution and a core international document to combat illegal trafficking of precious metals,” said Nornickel’s expert.

Nornickel also informed the meeting’s participants about the progress of its global IT security initiative. According to Mr Gudov, Nornickel presented its Information Security Charter for Critical Industrial Facilities at the 12th International Forum titled Partnership of State Authorities, Civil Society and the Business Community in Ensuring International Information Security, which took place in Germany in April. The forum members approved and supported the document.

“What we are proposing is that the business community should come up with clear and transparent rules preventing the misuse of IT to interfere in production processes. Given the issue’s significance for the industry, we believe it necessary to align the Charter’s provisions with the IPA’s goals and objectives, and have its members involved in the development of the IPA’s Declaration on Business Ethics in Information Security based on the Charter,” added the expert.

Nornickel’s proposal was welcomed by all meeting participants and included in the meeting’s summary document.

Nornickel helps Develop a Global tool to combat illegal trafficking of Precious Metals