SCS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders
Valterra Platinum has signed agreements with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), and IRMA-approved independent audit firm SCS Global Services (SCS), to continue to independently assess its Unki platinum operations against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. Located in Zimbabwe’s Shurugwi region, Unki is the first mine in the IRMA system to undergo an independent Renewal Audit. Unki’s initial and surveillance audits occurred under Anglo American ownership. Valterra Platinum, a South Africa-based company, assumed site ownership on 31 May 2025.
IRMA Assessment Cycle
In the IRMA assessment cycle, a mining operation first undergoes a comprehensive Initial Audit and the independent audit firm awards an IRMA Achievement level, valid for 3 years. Midway between the publication of the initial audit and the expiration of the awarded IRMA Achievement level, the operation completes an abbreviated Surveillance Audit to ensure site performance still supports its IRMA Achievement and to monitor progress on the site’s Corrective Action Plan. Before the expiration of IRMA Achievement level, the operation completes a comprehensive Renewal Audit at which point the audit firm awards a new IRMA Achievement level. The Unki operation audit cycle has extended beyond 3 years because they were the first operation to be independently audited against the IRMA standard; the timeframe was adapted to accommodate learnings and process improvements.
SCS will conduct the Renewal Audit, which includes a desk review (stage 1) followed by an onsite audit (stage 2). When the assessment is complete, IRMA will publish a final report in which SCS re-evaluates, explains how and why they scored Unki against each of the 400+ requirements of the IRMA Standard, and awards an updated IRMA Achievement level.
Stakeholder Engagement in the Assessment
Interested stakeholders and members of the public can sign up to receive updates about the Unki Renewal Audit (e.g., the timing of the stage 2 onsite visit, link to public summary of audit results). IRMA’s Mines Under Assessment webpage also provides information on all independent assessments.
Members of the community, public officials, representatives of the workforce, or other organizations are invited to submit comments regarding how the mine site is managing their impacts to the environment including air, water, waste, greenhouse gases, and ecosystems; how the mine supports their workforce; and how the mine interacts with the surrounding community, and how it impacts the community, positively or negatively.
Interested parties may contact the independent audit firm, SCS, to share comments or to ask to be interviewed as part of the audit process. The audit firm can be reached via:
Please share this announcement, and feel free to contact SCS directly to provide names and contact information for other Unki stakeholders who may be interested in knowing about and participating in the mine site assessment process.
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