International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM)2019-09-252019-09-252012-11-062012-06http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/188136"This is one of a series of publications commissioned by ICMM to highlight the sector's role in modern society. There is international consensus that business has a responsibility to respect human rights, distinct from a state's duty to protect and help realize the rights of its citizens. This paper argues that the mining and metals sector also has an extraordinary potential to contribute to the realization of human rights by playing an important role in social development and poverty alleviation. The transition of human rights from a position peripheral to business to one of central concern has been marked by a number of important milestones, as has the concept of business playing a role in social development. This paper briefly explores the respective roles of the state and business with respect to human rights, with particular reference to major UN milestones. It discusses the links between social development, poverty alleviation and human rights, and the role that the mining and metals sector can play. Finally, it identifies actions required of governments and the industry to ensure that the overall sectoral contribution to human rights is positive."engWith permission of the license/copyright holderminingmetalshuman rightssustainable developmentpovertyPolitical ethicsEconomic ethicsEnvironmental ethicsEthics of lawRights based legal ethicsBusiness ethicsResources ethicsPreprint