Sishen, Kolomela Begin IRMA Surveillance Audits

ERM CVS to Conduct “Check-In” Assessments to Verify Performance, Progress Identified in Initial Audit

Yesterday IRMA-approved independent audit firm ERM CVS started IRMA surveillance audit of the Sishen and Kolomela iron ore operations in South Africa’s Northern Cape province. These mines are owned and operated by Kumba Iron Ore, a company of which Anglo American is a primary shareholder.

Sishen and Kolomela both achieved IRMA 75 upon release of their full audit reports in April 2024.

Within the IRMA independent assessment cycle, an IRMA surveillance audit is the midpoint between the initial full audit and the full re-assessment audit. It verifies that the previously awarded IRMA Achievement level is still warranted. It is an abbreviated verification that the operation’s systems and controls are still in place and are functioning effectively, that no major changes have occurred that negatively affect the operation’s performance, and that the operation is progressing on its corrective action plan.

As with a full audit, a surveillance audit consists of a desk audit and an onsite audit, and includes confidential interviews with workers and engagement with community stakeholders. As with a full audit, the onsite component will be announced at least 30 days prior.

Following the completion of the surveillance audits, reports will be published on Sishen’s audit page and Kolomela’s audit page.

Stakeholder Engagement in the Surveillance Audit

Interested stakeholders and members of the public can sign up to receive updates about the surveillance assessments. The Mines Under Assessment page of IRMA’s website will also provide up-to-date information on all assessments.

Members of the community, public officials, representatives of the workforce, or other organizations are invited to submit comments regarding how the operation 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 ERM CVS to share comments or to ask to be interviewed as part of the audit process. The audit firm can be reached via:

More Information

ERM CVS is an independent IRMA-approved and trained audit firm. For more about ERM CVS visit ermcvs.com.

IRMA’s mission is to protect the environment and people directly affected by mining. For more about IRMA including the assessment process, the IRMA Standard, and to see audit reports of other mines visit responsiblemining.net

For more information about the IRMA audit cycle, please visit the Independent Assessment Timeline page. If you have concerns or complaints about the IRMA mine site assessment process or the IRMA Standard visit the IRMA Feedback and Complaints page.