Audits

SQM's Salar de Atacama lithium operation. Credit: SQMSQM's Salar de Atacama lithium operation. Credit: SQMAudits

Auditoría de vigilancia in situ en SQM Salar SpA este mes de julio

5 May 2025By

De ERM CVS, auditor independiente aprobado por IRMA:

ERM CVS realizará una evaluación IRMA in situ de Salar de Atacama (SQM Salar SpA)

ERM CVS solicita la opinión de la comunidad local y otras partes interesadas

El día de hoy 5 de Mayo de 2025, ERM CVS anuncia que del 7 al 11 de Julio de 2025 se visitarán las operaciones de Litio en el Salar de Atacama de SQM Salar SpA, localizada en la Región de Antofagasta en la comuna de San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, para desarrollar una evaluación independiente de vigilancia de la operación por parte de terceros de la Iniciativa para la Garantía de Minería Responsable (IRMA).

El informe de auditoría inicial de SQM Salar SpA Salar de Atacama en su operación fue realizado el 6 Septiembre de 2023 el nivel del logro ante los requisitos fue IRMA 75. El reporte esta disponible en el sitio web de IRMA.

La auditoría de vigilancia in situ verificará que las operaciones del emplazamiento siguen ajustándose al rendimiento reconocido anteriormente. El equipo auditor verificará que los sistemas y controles de la mina siguen vigentes y funcionan eficazmente, que no se han producido cambios importantes que afecten negativamente al rendimiento de la mina y que el sitio avanza en su plan de medidas correctivas. La auditoría también incluirá entrevistas confidenciales con los trabajadores y el compromiso con los titulares de derechos indígenas y las partes interesadas de la comunidad. Una vez concluida la auditoría de vigilancia, se publicará un informe en el sitio web de IRMA.

El informe resumido de la auditoría de vigilancia proporcionará a SQM y a las partes interesadas, información sobre la continuidad de las operaciones, los cambios materiales y la mejora continua.

7 al 11 de Julio de 2025

Sus comentarios ayudarán a ERM CVS a evaluar el impacto de SQM Salar de Atacama en las comunidades locales y a medir su rendimiento con respecto a las mejores prácticas mineras. ERM CVS le invita a inscribirse para una entrevista con auditores de seguimiento y/o escribir comentarios sobre Salar de Atacama SQM utilizando los canales de comunicación que se muestran a continuación. Para ser entrevistado debe ponerse en contacto con nosotros antes del 30 de Junio de 2025. Los comentarios escritos deberán ser enviados antes del 11 de Julio de 2025 para ser considerados.
Sitio web:

erm.com/ermcvs/services/sector-specific-certification-schemes/irma-stakeholder-feedback-form/

Correo: post@ermcvs.com

Telefono: +51 1708 0164

Código QR para ingreso al formato

ERM CVS contact QR code
Las entrevistas con personas de la comunidad se realizarán en ausencia de personal de la mina. Las entrevistas con los trabajadores que no pertenezcan a la dirección se realizarán, sin personal de la dirección y si se solicita fuera de las instalaciones. ERM CVS protege la identidad de los entrevistados, sin embargo, los comentarios se resumirán en el informe.

ERM CVS es una empresa de auditoría independiente aprobada y formada por IRMA. Para más información sobre ERM CVS, visite ermcvs.com.

La misión de IRMA es proteger el medio ambiente y a las personas directamente afectadas por la minería. Para más información sobre IRMA, incluido el proceso de evaluación, la Norma IRMA y los informes de auditoría de otras minas, visite: www.responsiblemining.net.

Para más información sobre el ciclo de auditoría IRMA, visite: https://responsiblemining.net/what-we-do/assessment/independent-assessment-timeline/. Si tiene alguna duda o queja sobre el proceso de evaluación de minas IRMA o sobre el Estándar IRMA, visite: responsiblemining.net/complaints.

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SQM's Salar de Atacama lithium operation. Credit: SQMSQM's Salar de Atacama lithium operation. Credit: SQMAudits

Onsite Surveillance Audit at SQM Salar SpA this July

5 May 2025By

From IRMA approved independent auditor ERM CVS:

ERM CVS to Conduct On-site IRMA Assessment of Salar de Atacama (SQM Salar SpA)

ERM CVS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders

Today, 5 May 2025, ERM CVS announces that on 7 – 11 July 2025 it will visit the SQM Salar SpA’s Salar de Atacama lithium mining operations in San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region, Chile to conduct an independent, third-party Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) surveillance assessment of the operation.

The initial audit report of SQM Salar SpA Salar de Atacama operations was released on 6 September 2023 with an achievement level of IRMA 75. The report is available on the operation’s audit page on the IRMA website.

The onsite surveillance audit will verify that the site operations continue to align with the previously recognized performance. The audit team will verify that the mine’s systems and controls are still in place and are functioning effectively, that no major changes have occurred that negatively affect the mine’s performance, and that the site is progressing on its corrective action plan. The audit will also include confidential interviews with workers and engagement with Indigenous rightsholders and community stakeholders. Following the completion of the surveillance audit, a report will be published on the operation’s audit page on the IRMA website.

The abbreviated surveillance audit summary report will provide SQM and stakeholders insight into continuity of operations, material changes, and evidence of continued improvement.

7 July – 11 July 2025

Your comments will help ERM CVS assess the impact of SQM Salar de Atacama on local communities and measure its performance against best mining practices. ERM CVS invites you to sign-up for an interview with auditors during  the surveillance audit, and/or submit written comments about SQM Salar de Atacama using the contact details below. You must contact us before 30 June 2025 to be interviewed. Written comments submitted before 11 July 2025 will be incorporated into the results of this audit. Contact info:
On the web:

erm.com/ermcvs/services/sector-specific-certification-schemes/irma-stakeholder-feedback-form/

Email: post@ermcvs.com 

Telephone: +51 1708 0164

QR code to access online form:

ERM CVS contact QR code
Interviews with members of the community occur without mine personnel present. Interviews with non-management workers occur without management present and can be scheduled to occur offsite on request. ERM CVS protects the identity of individual commenters although the general nature of comments will be summarized in the report.

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 www.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.

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Gerdau logoGerdau logoAudits

Mina de minério de ferro Miguel Burnier da Gerdau completa auditoria da IRMA

20 March 2025By

Mina brasileira alcança o IRMA 50 após ser auditada de acordo com o único padrão de mineração do mundo com governança igualitária

20 March 2025 – A Iniciativa de Asseguração de Mineração Responsável (IRMA) publicou hoje o relatório de auditoria da Mina Miguel Burnier, da Gerdau, com base no Padrão IRMA para Mineração Responsável. A Mina Miguel Burnier está localizada no estado brasileiro de Minas Gerais, no município de Ouro Preto. A empresa de auditoria independente SCS Global Services avaliou a Mina Miguel Burnier como IRMA 50 ao medir seu desempenho em relação aos critérios sociais e ambientais de melhores práticas da Padrão.

O IRMA 50 significa que a SCS Global Services verificou que a Mina Miguel Burnier atendeu, pelo menos substancialmente, a todos os 40 requisitos críticos do IRMA Standard, bem como a pelo menos 50% dos critérios do Padrão em cada uma das quatro áreas principais: responsabilidade social, responsabilidade ambiental, integridade comercial e planejamento para legados positivos. O relatório completo da auditoria está disponível na página de auditoria da Mina Miguel Burnier no site do IRMA.

“Este relatório demonstra que as minas podem apontar para avaliações transparentes e independentes de seu desempenho ambiental e social”, disse Aimee Boulanger, Diretora Executiva da IRMA. “Por meio de relatórios detalhados de auditoria da IRMA, as empresas de mineração, as comunidades e as empresas que compram materiais extraídos das minas podem obter as informações necessárias para decidir o que está indo bem – e o que pode exigir mais atenção – em minas específicas.”

Como o Padrão IRMA é reconhecido e adotado em todo o mundo, essas auditorias são etapas importantes em um diálogo mais profundo entre as empresas de mineração e as pessoas afetadas por suas operações. Como o processo IRMA está sempre melhorando com base na experiência da auditoria mais recente, os resultados da auditoria devem ser revisados e interpretados de acordo.

“Se os resultados não refletirem totalmente a experiência das comunidades ou de outros grupos afetados, queremos ouvi-los”, disse a Sra. Boulanger. “Nós os ajudaremos a se comunicar com a empresa para entender melhor seu desempenho e com os auditores sobre quaisquer questões que eles considerem ter sido negligenciadas na análise. Essa é a base de nosso próprio compromisso com a transparência. Convidamos qualquer pessoa que tenha críticas sobre nosso trabalho a se juntar a nós para melhorá-lo. Encontrar maneiras de melhorar está incorporado em nosso sistema e é uma medida de seu sucesso.”

Wendel Gomes da Silva, Diretor de Mineração e Matérias-Primas da Gerdau, disse: “A realização do IRMA 50 por Miguel Burnier e o compartilhamento dos resultados da auditoria que explicam nosso desempenho em relação aos mais de 400 requisitos do IRMA são um sinal do nosso compromisso com a transparência, com práticas de mineração mais responsáveis e com o diálogo aberto com todas as partes interessadas e detentores de direitos. Em seus 124 anos de história, a Gerdau tem o compromisso de ser parte das soluções para os desafios da sociedade e de ter um impacto positivo nas regiões em que opera.”

Incluindo a mina Miguel Burnier, 23 minas de escala industrial em todo o mundo estão dentro do sistema de avaliação independente da IRMA. Após uma autoavaliação inicial, uma mina participante contrata uma empresa de auditoria externa – treinada e aprovada pela IRMA – para realizar uma avaliação independente detalhada, incluindo visitas in loco à mina e às comunidades próximas. Após a liberação da auditoria inicial, uma auditoria de controle verifica o desempenho da mina. Três anos após a auditoria inicial, a operação é submetida novamente a uma auditoria completa.

O sistema independente IRMA é o único padrão global de mineração que oferece poder igual ao setor público (comunidades e detentores de direitos indígenas, trabalhadores de minas e defensores dos direitos humanos e ambientais) e ao setor privado (empresas de mineração, compradores de materiais extraídos e investidores).

Para obter mais informações:

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Gerdau logoGerdau logoAudits

Gerdau’s Miguel Burnier iron ore mine completes IRMA audit

20 March 2025By

Brazilian Mine achieves IRMA 50 when audited against the world’s only equally governed mining standard

20 March 2025 – Today the Initiative for Responsible Mining (IRMA) released the audit report of Gerdau’s Miguel Burnier iron ore mine against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. The Miguel Burnier Mine is located in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state in the municipality of Ouro Preto. Independent audit firm SCS Global Services assessed the Miguel Burnier Mine at IRMA 50 when measuring its performance against the Standard’s best practice social and environmental criteria.

IRMA 50 means that SCS Global Services verified that the operations at least substantially met all 40 critical requirements of the IRMA Standard, as well as at least 50% of the Standard’s criteria in each of the four principle areas: social responsibility, environmental responsibility, business integrity and planning for positive legacies. The full audit report is available on the Miguel Burnier audit page on the IRMA website.

“This report demonstrates that mines can point to transparent, independent evaluations of their environmental and social performance,” said Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director of IRMA. “Through detailed IRMA audit reports, mining companies, communities and companies that purchase mined materials can gain the information they need, to decide what’s going well — and what may require more attention — at specific mines.”

As the IRMA Standard is recognized and adopted around the globe, these audits are steps in a deepening dialogue between mining companies and those affected by their operations. Because the process is still evolving, the results should be reviewed and interpreted accordingly.

“An increasing number of community members and workers are engaging in IRMA audits, and they’re using the audit reports to communicate directly with the mining company about their priorities for improvement,” Ms. Boulanger said. “If readers find results inconsistent with their experience, we encourage them to share their perspectives with IRMA and the company so that we can improve the audit review process and support continuing improvement at the site—as community members and NGOs have already done in this case.”

“We are always looking to improve not only mining practices, but also IRMA’s system. IRMA’s improvements, and being transparent about how we need to improve, is built into our system and a measure of its success,” said Ms. Boulanger.

Wendel Gomes da Silva, Mining and Raw Materials Director at Gerdau, said: “Miguel Burnier’s IRMA 50 achievement, and the sharing of the audit results that explain our performance against the 400+ IRMA requirements, is a sign of our commitment to transparency, to more responsible mining practices, and to open dialogue with all affected stakeholders and rightsholders. In its 124-year history, Gerdau is commitment to be part of the solutions to society’s challenges and to have a positive impact on the regions in which it operates.”

Including Miguel Burnier, 23 industrial-scale mines worldwide are within the IRMA independent assessment system. After an initial self-assessment, a participating mine engages a third-party audit firm — trained and approved by IRMA — to conduct a detailed independent evaluation, including on-site visits to the mine and nearby communities. Following the release of the initial audit, a shorter surveillance audit checks on the mine’s performance. Three years after the initial audit, the operation is fully audited again.

The independent IRMA system is the only global mining standard that provides equal power to the public sector (communities and Indigenous rights holders, mine workers, and environmental and human rights advocates) alongside the private sector (mining companies, mined materials purchasers and investors).

For More Information:

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Audits

SCS akan melakukan penilaian IRMA di lokasi PT Trimegah Bangun Persada

14 March 2025By

SCS akan melakukan penilaian IRMA di lokasi PT Trimegah Bangun Persada (TBP), atau yang dikenal dengan Harita Nickel; firma audit menerima masukan dari masyarakat setempat dan pemangku kepentingan lainnya

[Bahasa Indonesia | English]

SEATTLE / JAKARTA, 14 Maret 2025 – Hari ini, SCS Global Services (SCS) mengumumkan bahwa pada tanggal 15 – 23 April 2025, SCS akan mengunjungi operasi penambangan dan pemrosesan nikel Trimegah Bangun Persada (TBP), yang juga dikenal sebagai Harita Nickel, untuk melakukan tahap penilaian lokasi oleh pihak ketiga yang independen dari Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA). Pada bulan Oktober 2024, Harita Nickel mengumumkan komitmennya atas operasi penambangan dan pemrosesan terkait untuk diaudit secara independen oleh IRMA. Harita Nickel berlokasi di Pulau Obi, Halmahera Selatan, Maluku Utara, di Indonesia.

Setelah selesai, hasil penilaian IRMA akan menghasilkan laporan audit publik yang dirilis secara lokal dan di situs web IRMA. Laporan ini akan menjelaskan bagaimana SCS menilai operasi Harita Nickel terhadap masing-masing dari 400+ persyaratan Standar IRMA untuk Penambangan yang Bertanggung Jawab, dan mengapa SCS memberikan skor tersebut. Laporan tersebut juga akan menetapkan tingkat pencapaian keseluruhan: Transparansi IRMA, IRMA 50, IRMA 75, atau IRMA 100.

Harita Nickel dapat menggunakan informasi ini tentang dampak lingkungan dan sosial dari operasinya untuk meningkatkan praktiknya. Pemangku kepentingan lain, khususnya masyarakat yang terdampak, dapat menggunakan laporan audit ini untuk bekerja sama dengan Harita Nickel dan pihak lain secara lebih setara guna meningkatkan praktik pertambangan dengan cara yang paling bermanfaat bagi mereka.

Selama SCS berada di lokasi, mereka akan mengumpulkan umpan balik dari para pemangku kepentingan setempat – siapa pun yang secara langsung atau tidak langsung terdampak oleh tambang — termasuk anggota masyarakat, pekerja tambang, dan pejabat pemerintah. Tim SCS juga akan memeriksa operasi dan fasilitas terkaitnya.

15 – 23 April 2025

Auditor dari SCS Global Services akan mengunjungi wilayah tambang Harita Nickel pada bulan April untuk mengumpulkan masukan. Jika Anda memiliki hal untuk disampaikan, silakan mengabarkan tim audit dengan mengirim pesan melalui WhatsApp. Akan jauh lebih baik, jika Anda bersedia untuk melakukan mengatur pembicaraan obrolan tatap muka dengan auditor di waktu dan lokasi yang nyaman bagi Anda antara tanggal 15 dan 23 April.

WhatsApp: +1 520 248 4276 (suara atau teks)
Email: feedback@scsglobalservices.com
Online: https://info.scsglobalservices.com/irma-stakeholder-feedback

Jika obrolan langsung tidak memungkinkan karena alasan apa pun, dan Anda ingin terhubung, jangan khawatir! Anda juga dapat berbagi pemikiran dengan auditor menggunakan WhatsApp. Tim audit menghormati privasi Anda. Apa pun yang dibagikan dalam wawancara pekerja dan masyarakat bersifat anonim (rahasia) dan akan digabungkan dengan masukan lainnya. Tidak ada nama atau rincian pribadi yang akan muncul dalam laporan auditor atau dibagikan kepada manajemen tambang. Untuk rincian lebih lanjut, silakan lihat dokumen pengumuman audit SCS.

SCS adalah firma audit independen yang telah disetujui dan dilatih oleh IRMA. Untuk informasi lebih lanjut tentang SCS, kunjungi https://www.scsglobalservices.com.

Misi IRMA adalah melindungi lingkungan dan orang-orang yang secara langsung terkena dampak pertambangan. Untuk informasi lebih lanjut tentang IRMA termasuk proses penilaian, Standar IRMA, dan untuk melihat laporan audit tambang lainnya, kunjungi https://responsiblemining.net.

Untuk status audit Harita Nickel: responsiblemining.net/haritanickel

Jika Anda memiliki masalah atau keluhan tentang proses penilaian lokasi tambang IRMA atau Standar IRMA, kunjungi responsiblemining.net/complaints

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Audits

SCS Global Services (SCS) to Conduct On-Site Assessment of Harita Nickel

14 March 2025By

SCS to conduct on-site IRMA assessment of PT Trimegah Bangun Persada (TBP), also known as Harita Nickel; audit firm seeks input from local community and other stakeholders

[Bahasa Indonesia | English]

SEATTLE / JAKARTA, 14 March 2025 – Today, SCS Global Services (SCS) announces that on April 15 – 23, 2025 it will visit the nickel mining and processing operations of Trimegah Bangun Persada (TBP), also known as Harita Nickel, to conduct the on-site phase of its independent, third-party Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) assessment. In October 2024, Harita Nickel announced its commitment of the Harita Nickel mining and related processing operations to IRMA independent audit. Harita Nickel is located on Obi Island, South Halmahera, North Maluku, in Indonesia.

When finished, an IRMA assessment results in a public audit report release locally and on the IRMA website. This report will describe how SCS scored Harita Nickel’s operation against each of the 400+ requirements of the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining, and why SCS gave that score. The report will also assign an overall achievement level: IRMA Transparency, IRMA 50, IRMA 75, or IRMA 100.

Harita Nickel can use this information about the environmental and social impacts of its operations to improve its practices. Other stakeholders, particularly affected communities, may use this audit report to engage with Harita Nickel and others on a more equal footing to improve the operation in the ways that matter most to them.

During SCS’s time on-site, they will collect feedback from local stakeholders – anyone directly or indirectly affected by the mine — including community members, mine workers, and government officials. The SCS team will also inspect the operation and its associated facilities.

April 15 – 23, 2025

Auditors from SCS Global Services will be visiting the Harita Nickel Mine region in April to gather input. If you have something to say, you can let the audit team know by messaging them on WhatsApp. Even better, you can set up a face-to-face chat with the auditors at a time and in a location convenient to you between the 15th and 23rd of April.

WhatsApp: +1 520 248 4276 (voice or text)
Email: feedback@scsglobalservices.com
Online: https://info.scsglobalservices.com/irma-stakeholder-feedback

If an in-person chat is not possible for any reason, and you would like to connect, don’t worry! You can share your thoughts with the auditors using WhatsApp, too. The audit team respects your privacy. Anything shared in worker and community interviews is anonymous and will be combined with other feedback. No names or personal details will appear in the auditors’ report or be shared with mine management. For further details, please see SCS’ audit announcement document. 

SCS is an independent IRMA-approved and trained audit firm. For more about SCS, visit https://www.scsglobalservices.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 https://responsiblemining.net.

For Harita Nickel audit status: responsiblemining.net/haritanickel

If you have concerns or complaints about the IRMA mine site assessment process or the IRMA Standard, visit responsiblemining.net/complaints

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Anglo American MogalakwenaAnglo American MogalakwenaAudits

Anglo American’s Mogalakwena PGM mine completes IRMA audit

13 March 2025By

South African complex achieves IRMA 50 when audited against the world’s only equally governed mining standard

13 March 2025 – Today the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) released the audits of Anglo American’s Mogalakwena PGM complex against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. Independent audit firm ERM-CVS assessed Mogalakwena at IRMA 50 when measuring its performance against the Standard’s best practice social and environmental criteria.

IRMA 50 means that ERM-CVS verified that the operations at least substantially met all 40 critical requirements of the IRMA Standard, as well as at least 50% of the Standard’s criteria in each of the four principle areas: social responsibility, environmental responsibility, business integrity and planning for positive legacies. The full audit reports are available on the Mogalakwena audit page on the IRMA website.

The information stakeholders need to decide what’s going well — and what may require more attention.

“This report demonstrates that mines can point to transparent, independent evaluations of their environmental and social performance,” said Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director of IRMA. “Through detailed IRMA audit reports, mining companies, communities and companies that purchase mined materials can gain the information they need, to decide what’s going well — and what may require more attention — at specific mines.”

As the IRMA Standard is recognized and adopted around the globe, these audits are steps in a deepening dialogue between mining companies and those affected by their operations. Because the process is still evolving, the results should be reviewed and interpreted accordingly.

“An increasing number of community members and workers are engaging in IRMA audits, and they’re using the audit reports to communicate directly with the mining company about their priorities for improvement,” Ms. Boulanger said. “If readers find results inconsistent with their experience, we encourage them to share their perspectives with IRMA and the company so that we can improve the audit review process and support continuing improvement at the site—as community members and NGOs have already done in this case.”

“We are always looking to improve not only mining practices, but also IRMA’s system. IRMA’s improvements, and being transparent about how we need to improve, is built into our system and a measure of its success,” said Ms. Boulanger.

Craig Miller, CEO of Anglo American Platinum said, “This milestone at Mogalakwena is significant in our overall adoption of IRMA. It enables us to promote transparency and best practice in sustainability, while adding value to our global customers by helping them meet the increasing expectations for responsibly mined materials in an efficient and credible way.  With IRMA 50, we have accomplished our sustainable mining plan target of having all our mining operations assured against a recognised responsible mining standard by 2025.”

Including Mogalakwena, 23 industrial-scale mines worldwide are within the IRMA independent assessment system. After an initial self-assessment, a participating mine engages a third-party audit firm — trained and approved by IRMA — to conduct a detailed independent evaluation, including on-site visits to the mine and nearby communities. Following the release of the initial audit, a shorter surveillance audit checks on the mine’s performance. Three years after the initial audit, the operation is fully audited again. (Note: The first mines audited in the IRMA system have had extensions to this timeline due to Covid delays and launch-phase learning; updated full reviews will be required to maintain or increase achievement scores.)

The independent IRMA system is the only global mining standard that provides equal power to the public sector (communities and Indigenous rights holders, mine workers, and environmental and human rights advocates) alongside the private sector (mining companies, mined materials purchasers and investors).

For More Information:

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Fenix lithium mine. Credit: LiventFenix lithium mine. Credit: LiventAudits

Arcadium Lithium’s Fenix Lithium Mine Completes IRMA Audit

26 February 2025By

Becomes first operation in Argentina to be audited against the world’s only equally governed mining standard

26 February 2025 – Today the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) released the audit report of Arcadium Lithium’s Fenix Mine against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. The Fenix Mine is the first operation in Argentina to release an IRMA audit report, measuring performance against the world’s most comprehensive standard describing best practices for mining.

While the audit report is being released today, providing detailed results describing performance on a broad range of issues, Fenix’s overall achievement level is pending final assessment of Chapter 2.2, Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

Apart from pending final assessment of Chapter 2.2, the results of Fenix’s audit meet the requirements for at least IRMA 50.

As noted in the audit report, relevant information related to Chapter 2.2 was gathered and reviewed by the auditors during the assessment period, and Arcadium Lithium was fully collaborative, supportive and transparent throughout the process. However, the independent audit firm SCS Global Services determined that additional testimonies and more in-depth interviews were necessary to fully assess Fenix’s performance against this chapter.  This chapter, along with all critical items, will be evaluated during the IRMA surveillance audit at the Fenix Lithium Mine. The surveillance audit is required within 12–18 months after the initial audit report’s publication.

The Fenix audit occurred over a span of three years, starting on February 15, 2022, with the announcement of the independent, third-party audit, which includes time that the company invested in continuing improvement throughout the review process. Rather than further delay disclosure of valuable information related to other aspects of social responsibility, environmental responsibility, business integrity and planning for positive legacies, Arcadium Lithium, IRMA and SCS Global Services agreed to publish the audit report. The full audit report is available on the Fenix Mine audit page on the IRMA website.

“We began the IRMA process with clear objectives: to help drive transparency in our industry, foster better engagement with community and Indigenous stakeholders, and gain insights to improve every aspect of our operations. The publication of the Fenix audit report is an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to these goals.”

“The report describes the unique profile of our Fenix operation at the Salar del Hombre Muerto in Catamarca, Argentina, where we have been producing lithium for more than 27 years.  It reflects our team’s desire and efforts to build a positive legacy and pursue opportunities for continuous improvement.  We remain as focused as ever on responsible lithium production and would like to thank the team at IRMA, SCS Global Services and all of our stakeholders who contributed to this journey thus far.” — Paul Graves, president and CEO of Arcadium Lithium.

Including Fenix, 22 industrial-scale mines worldwide are within the IRMA independent assessment system. After an initial self-assessment, a participating mine engages a third-party audit firm — trained and approved by IRMA — to conduct a detailed independent evaluation, including on-site visits to the mine and nearby communities. Following the release of the initial audit, a surveillance audit checks on the mine’s performance. Three years after the initial audit, the operation is fully audited again.

“Through detailed IRMA audit reports, mining companies, communities and companies that purchase mined materials can gain the information they need to decide what’s going well — and where improvements can be made — at specific mines. Independent evaluation against a rigorous standard that is equally governed by the people most affected by mining can reduce negative impacts, improve benefits sharing, and reduce conflict.” — Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director of IRMA.

As the IRMA Standard is recognized and adopted around the globe, these audits are important steps in a deepening dialogue between mining companies and those potentially impacted by their operations. Because the IRMA process is always improving from the experience of the most recent audit, audit results should be reviewed and interpreted accordingly.

“If the results don’t fully reflect the experience of communities, Indigenous rights holders or other stakeholders groups, we want to hear from them. We’ll help them communicate with the company and with the auditors on any issues they feel were overlooked in the review. This is a cornerstone of our own commitment to transparency. We invite anyone who has criticisms of our work to join us in making it better. Finding ways to improve is built into our system — and a measure of its success.” — Aimee Boulanger.

The independent IRMA system is the only global mining standard that provides equal power to the public sector (communities and Indigenous rights holders, mine workers, and environmental and human rights advocates) alongside the private sector (mining companies, mined materials purchasers and investors).

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Fenix lithium mine. Credit: LiventFenix lithium mine. Credit: LiventAudits

La mina de litio Fénix de Arcadium Lithium Completa la Auditoría IRMA

26 February 2025By

Se convierte en la primera operación en Argentina en ser auditada contra el único estándar de minería del mundo igualmente gobernado

26 de febrero de 2025 – La Iniciativa para el Aseguramiento de la Minería Responsable (IRMA) publicó hoy el reporte de auditoría de la Mina Fénix de Arcadium Lithium contra el Estándar IRMA para la Minería Responsable. Fénix es la primera operación en Argentina en publicar un reporte de auditoría IRMA, que mide el desempeño en comparación con el estándar más completo del mundo que describe las mejores prácticas para la minería.

Si bien el reporte de auditoría se publica hoy, proporcionando resultados detallados que describen el desempeño en una amplia gama de cuestiones, el nivel de logro de la mina Fénix está pendiente de la evaluación final del capítulo 2.2, Consentimiento libre, previo e informado.

Aparte de la evaluación final pendiente del capítulo 2.2, los resultados de la auditoría de Fénix cumplen los requisitos de IRMA 50 como mínimo.

Como se señala en el informe de auditoría, los auditores recopilaron y revisaron la información relevante relacionada con el Capítulo 2.2 durante el período de evaluación, y Arcadium Lithium colaboró, apoyó y fue transparente durante todo el proceso. Sin embargo, los auditores de SCS Global Services determinaron que eran necesarios testimonios adicionales y entrevistas más exhaustivas para evaluar plenamente el desempeño de Fénix en relación con este capítulo. Este capítulo, junto con todos los puntos críticos, será evaluado durante la auditoría de vigilancia de IRMA en la mina de litio Fénix. La auditoría de vigilancia deberá realizarse entre los 12 y 18 meses siguientes a la publicación del reporte de auditoría inicial.

Esta auditoría se realizó en un lapso de tres años, a partir del 15 de febrero de 2022, con el anuncio de la auditoría independiente de terceros, que incluye el tiempo que la empresa invirtió en el mejoramiento continuo a lo largo del proceso de revisión. Arcadium Lithium, IRMA y SCS Global Services acordaron publicar el reporte de auditoría, con el fin de no retrasar aún más la divulgación de información valiosa relacionada con otros aspectos de la responsabilidad social, la responsabilidad ambiental, la integridad empresarial y la planificación de legados positivos. El reporte completo de la auditoría está disponible en la página de la auditoría de la mina Fénix en el sitio web de IRMA.

«Comenzamos el proceso IRMA con objetivos claros: ayudar a impulsar la transparencia en nuestra industria, fomentar un mejor compromiso con los miembros de las comunidades, los titulares de derechos indígenas y demás partes interesadas y obtener información para mejorar todos los aspectos de nuestras operaciones. La publicación del reporte de auditoría de Fénix es un hito importante en nuestro compromiso continuo con estos objetivos.»

«El reporte describe el perfil único de nuestra operación Fénix en el Salar del Hombre Muerto en Catamarca, Argentina, donde hemos estado produciendo litio durante más de 27 años.  Refleja el deseo y los esfuerzos de nuestro equipo por construir un legado positivo y buscar oportunidades de mejoramiento continuo.  Seguimos tan enfocados como siempre en la producción responsable de litio y nos gustaría agradecer al equipo de IRMA, SCS Global Services y a todas las partes interesadas que han contribuido a este proceso hasta ahora.» — Paul Graves, presidente y CEO de Arcadium Lithium.

Incluida Fénix, 22 minas a escala industrial de todo el mundo están dentro del sistema de evaluación independiente IRMA. Tras una autoevaluación inicial, una mina participante contrata a una empresa auditora externa – formada y aprobada por IRMA – para que lleve a cabo una evaluación independiente detallada, que incluye visitas presenciales a la mina y a las comunidades cercanas. Tras la publicación de la auditoría inicial, una auditoría de vigilancia comprueba el rendimiento de la mina. Tres años después de la auditoría inicial, la operación vuelve a someterse a una auditoría completa.

«Gracias a los detallados reportes de auditoría IRMA, las empresas mineras, las comunidades y las empresas que compran materiales extraídos pueden obtener la información que necesitan para decidir qué va bien – y qué se puede mejorar – en minas específicas. La evaluación independiente con respecto a un estándar riguroso que es gobernado por igual por las personas más afectadas por la minería puede reducir los impactos negativos, mejorar el reparto de beneficios y reducir los conflictos.» — Aimee Boulanger, Directora Ejecutiva de IRMA.

A medida que el Estándar IRMA es reconocido y adoptado en todo el mundo, estas auditorías son pasos importantes en un diálogo cada vez más profundo entre las empresas mineras y las personas potencialmente impactadas por sus operaciones. Dado que el proceso IRMA siempre mejora a partir de la experiencia de la auditoría más reciente, los resultados de las auditorías deben revisarse e interpretarse en consecuencia.

«Si los resultados no reflejan plenamente la experiencia de las comunidades, los titulares de derechos indígenas y otras partes interesadas, queremos oírlos. Les ayudaremos a comunicarse con la empresa y con los auditores sobre cualquier cuestión que consideren que se ha pasado por alto en la revisión. Esto es un pilar de nuestro propio compromiso con la transparencia. Invitamos a cualquiera que tenga críticas sobre nuestro trabajo a que se una a nosotros para mejorarlo. Encontrar formas de mejorar está integrado en nuestro sistema, y es una medida de su éxito.» — Aimee Boulanger

El sistema independiente IRMA es el único estándar minero mundial que otorga el mismo poder al sector público (comunidades y titulares de derechos indígenas, trabajadores mineros y defensores del medio ambiente y los derechos humanos) que al sector privado (empresas mineras, compradores de materiales extraídos e inversores).

Para más información:

  • Aimee Boulanger, Directora Ejecutiva
    Adan Olivares Castro, Líder Regional, Américas y el Caribe
    contact@responsiblemining.net +1.360.217.9080 (WhatsApp)
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Balama Graphite operation in Mozambique. Credit: Syrah ResourcesBalama Graphite operation in Mozambique. Credit: Syrah ResourcesPress Release

Syrah’s Balama is 1st graphite operation to complete IRMA audit

19 December 2024By

[em português]

19 December – Today the Initiative for Responsible Mining (IRMA) released the results of an independent audit of Syrah’s Balama graphite operation (“Balama”) in Mozambique against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. Balama achieved IRMA 50 after the independent audit firm SCS Global Services measured its performance versus the Standard’s 400+ criteria.

Balama is one of 22 industrial-scale mining operations worldwide engaged in independent audits with the IRMA system. After an initial self-assessment, a participating mine engages a third-party audit firm — trained and approved by IRMA — to conduct a detailed independent evaluation, including on-site visits to the mine and nearby communities.

IRMA 50 means SCS Global Services verified Balama met all critical requirements of the IRMA Standard, as well as at least 50% of the Standard’s criteria in each of the four areas: social responsibility, environmental responsibility, business integrity and planning for positive legacies. The full audit report is available on the Balama audit page at responsiblemining.net.

“The information stakeholders need to decide what’s going well — and what may require more attention.”

“This report demonstrates that mines supplying materials essential to the renewable energy transition can point to transparent, independent evaluations of their environmental and social performance,” said Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director of IRMA. “Through detailed IRMA audit reports, mining companies, communities and companies that purchase mined materials can gain the information they need to decide what’s going well — and what may require more attention — at specific mines.”

As the IRMA Standard is recognized and adopted around the globe, these audits are just the first steps in a deepening dialogue between mining companies and those affected by their operations. And because the process is still evolving, IRMA cautions that the initial results should be reviewed and interpreted accordingly.

“If the results don’t fully reflect the experience of communities or other affected groups, we want to hear from them,” Ms. Boulanger said. “We’ll help them communicate with the company to better understand its performance, and with the auditors on any issues they feel were overlooked in the review. This is a cornerstone of our own commitment to transparency. We invite anyone who has criticisms of our work to join us in making it better. Finding ways to improve is built into our system — and a measure of its success.”

“This accomplishment is a first in the global graphite industry and highlights nearly a decade of strengthening our differentiated ESG performance.”

“Achieving IRMA 50 is a significant milestone for Syrah in our commitment to operate in line with international best practice for responsible mining. This accomplishment is a first in the global graphite industry and highlights nearly a decade of strengthening our differentiated ESG performance, particularly Balama’s strong safety record, investment in training and developing a highly skilled workforce, ongoing community development, human rights due diligence, legal governance and compliance, stakeholder engagement and demonstrated commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Syrah Managing Director and CEO, Shaun Verner.

The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) is (1) a voluntary mining standard describing best practices to protect people and the environment, (2) an assurance process to measure mines against that standard, and (3) an organization equally governed by representatives of six affected stakeholder sectors – communities, organized labor, NGOs, finance, purchasers and mining companies — that oversees the standard and the assurance process. IRMA is globally unique in that its governance provides communities equal power to mining companies, and the non-commercial interests the same power as commercial interests.

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