The MMSD Project and the GMI Conference were strong catalysts for industry action. A large part of this action involved the development of SD frameworks to provide useful and practical guidelines for individual companies.

An immediate outcome of the GMI Conference was to charge the London based International Council on Mining and Metals with the responsibility of developing the outcomes presented in the MMSD Report and debated at the GMI Conference. The ICMM released a set of Principles under the ICMM Sustainable Development Framework. These principles, listed below, continue to be used as a strong guide by the industry.
 

    1. Implement and maintain ethical business practices and sound systems of corporate governance. 

    2. Integrate sustainable development considerations within the corporate decision-making process. 

    3. Uphold fundamental human rights and respect cultures, customs and values in dealings with employees and others who are affected by our activities. 

   4. Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science 

    5. Seek continual improvement of our health and safety performance 

    6. Seek continual improvement of our environmental performance 

    7. Contribute to conservation of biodiversity and integrated approaches to land use planning. 

    8. Facilitate and encourage responsible product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of our products. 

    9. Contribute to the social, economic and institutional development of the communities in which we operate 

   10. Implement effective and transparent engagement, communication and independently verified reporting arrangements with our stakeholders. 
       
The Minerals Council of Australia acted decisively to provide a sound basis for the implementation of the ICMM principles. In October 2004, the Minerals Council of Australia released Enduring Value – the Australian Minerals Industry Framework for Sustainable Development. Enduring Value provides a detailed set of quite detailed and practical guidelines to assist managers in a practical manner at the site level.