International Copper Association（ICA）
Introduction
The International Copper Association (ICA) is an international non-profit industry association for the promotion and development of world copper production, usage, and trade. The Association’s roots trace back to the International Tin Research Institute, which was founded in 1925 as the non-profit industry association that promoted world tin production, usage, and trade. Since its inception, the ICA has been recognized as the intellectual and economic leader of the copper industry, representing the interests of the entire copper industry, from mining through fabrication, to end-use consumers. Today, with over 40 members representing 80% of the global copper industry, the ICA promotes the production, use, and trade of copper through a combination of research, issues management, education and advocacy activities. Through its activities, the ICA advances the industry to meet global demand and actively promotes sustainability, corporate social responsibility and sound environmental stewardship.
History
The origins of the International Copper Association trace back to the International Tin Research Institute, founded in 1925 as the non-profit industry association that promoted world tin production, usage, and trade. The International Copper Association descended from the Institute when the copper industry felt the need for a separate body to represent their interests. As a result, the ICA was formed in 1974 with a core mission to develop world copper production, usage, and trade. Over the years, the ICA has grown to become the foremost global copper organization, representing the interests of the entire copper industry. The ICA represents some of the largest and most influential companies in the world, including Codelco, Nyrstar, and Rio Tinto. The ICA also works with national and international business organizations, research centers, suppliers, fabricators, and end users so that the industry can remain ahead of the curve in terms of innovation and corporate social responsibility.
Objectives
Today, the International Copper Association is a global non-profit organization that works to promote the production, use, and trade of copper through research, education, advocacy and issues management activities. The ICA’s overall mission is to bring global copper industry leaders together to ensure that copper is used responsibly and efficiently in the production of the goods and services demanded by the world market. To reach this mission, the ICA focuses its activities on several distinct objectives:
1. Advancing the technical understanding of copper production and usage
2. Fostering collaboration between copper industry stakeholders
3. Educating the public and other industry participants about copper’s critical role in the global economy
4. Increasing the use of copper in innovative applications and products
5. Growing copper usage across all markets and applications
6. Ensuring responsible stewardship of copper resources through research and understanding of environmental, social, and ethical issues
7. Facilitating global trade in copper and copper products
Activities
The ICA’s activities are divided into four distinct areas: research, education, advocacy, and issues management. Within each area, the ICA conducts a variety of initiatives to advance its mission.
Research: The ICA actively conduct and fund research studies to advance the technical understanding of copper production and usage. Research initiatives include copper sustainability studies, health and safety research, copper-particle characterization, copper-alloy formulations, an corrosion studies.
Education: The ICA has developed educational programs and initiatives to increase the public’s understanding of copper, its properties and benefits, and its role in global commerce. Educational outreach includes the ICA’s numerous publications, conferences and webinars, and university-level courses.
Advocacy: The ICA engages in advocacy activities to encourage policy makers and legislators to take action that is beneficial to the copper industry. These initiatives include acting as liaison between industry and policymakers, monitoring industry-related legislative issues, and providing input to regulatory bodies.
Issues Management: The ICA actively monitors industry trends and issues and works to develop effective and practical solutions on issues related to responsible mining, ethical standards of production, and environmental stewardship.
Conclusion
The International Copper Association is an international non-profit organization that works to promote the production, use, and trade of copper through research, education, advocacy and issues management activities. With over 40 members representing 80% of the global copper industry, the ICA works to bring global copper industry leaders together to ensure that copper is used responsibly and efficiently in the production of the goods and services demanded by the world market. Through its activities, the ICA advances the industry to meet global demand and actively promotes sustainability, corporate social responsibility and sound environmental stewardship.
