In 2008, the ICMM Council approved the Sustainable Development Framework assurance procedure, which provides for third-party assurance of both the implementation of the ICMM's 10 Principles for Sustainable Development and our commitment to report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative reporting framework (including the mining sector's specific indicators). This program is intended to provide assurance and accuracy of our performance and reporting.

ICMM 10 Principles of Sustainable Development

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.

In addition, we are committed to practices that conform to the requirements set forth in the ICMM's position statements, which provide clear expectations on:

• Partnerships for development
• Transparency of mineral revenues
• Mercury risk management
• Issues surrounding mining and Indigenous peoples
• Mining and protected areas

The development of ICMM's process involved extensive consultation with assurance experts and a review of relevant literature. ICMM concluded that existing assurance activities across all sectors vary widely. However, there is increasing use of standards such as those developed by AccountAbility (AA1000).

Newmont's 2010 report was assured in accordance with the ICMM Assurance Procedure. The assurance was conducted to provide a high level of assurance in accordance with the Assurance Standard AA1000AS (2008).