Under the leadership of the ten Global Mining Initiative sponsoring companies, including Rio Tinto, a restructured globally representative industry body was formed in late 2001 and became active at the conclusion of the GMI conference in May 2002.

The ICMM, based in London, aims to be the global voice of the world's mining and metals industries, developing and articulating their sustainable development case, discovering and promoting best practice on sustainable development issues and acting as the principal point of engagement for stakeholders at the global level. It will assist the industry to align its economic, social and environmental goals so as to maximise their contribution to sustainable development.