The standard is a proposed set of principles to improve social and environmental performance and is the result of eight years of collaboration between groups that have traditionally been at odds.

The IRMA is made up of stakeholders from the mining industry, organised labour, non-governmental organisations, impacted communities and businesses.

Its standard seeks to emulate for industrial-scale minesites what has been done with certification schemes in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

The standard is designed to cover minesites, not mining companies.

Interestingly, while it covers mining, it will not cover the extraction of energy fuels such as uranium and coal.

The best practices for mining will include elements such as consideration of ecologically and culturally significant areas with regard to the location of the mine; reducing environmental impacts such as habitat loss and pollution; health and safety provisions for workers; free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples; and transparency in revenue payments from companies to governments.

Anglo American government and social affairs head Jon Samuel said each of the IRMA members wanted a future where mining companies made a positive contribution to local communities and minimised any impact on land and water while serving the needs of modern society.

"Though we don't always see eye to eye on every issue, IRMA has developed a draft set of leading-edge practices and a new definition of more responsible mining," he said.

While IRMA's steering committee has confidence the draft standard has integrated varied perspectives from each sector, it warns that the individuals, organisations and companies on the steering committee have not reached agreement on all aspects of the standard.

It believes it is time nonetheless to open up the standard to broader consultation.

The consultation period runs until October 22.

Comments received by then will be used to revise the draft standard and that second draft will also be released for an additional comment period.

With those comments on board will come the final standard.

The goal is to develop a certification scheme based on independent third-party verification and in compliance with the ISEAL Alliance's code of good practice for standard setting.

ISEAL is a NGO whose mission is to strengthen sustainability standards for the benefit of people and the environment.

International mining reform group Earthworks executive director Jennifer Krill said with the set of guiding principles IRMA was raising the bar on environmental and human rights standards for mining.

"The credibility of this proposed new system lies in the unprecedented participation of leaders from every sector involved in mining," she said.

Western Shoshone Defence Project's Larson Bill said the draft standard created an unprecedented opportunity to better the lives of communities sitting on natural resources.

"By giving feedback on this draft native peoples around the globe can help ensure greater respect of our rights and better control over our future when evaluating mine proposals on our lands," he said.