Blog
UNEP-IRMA Side Session. Credit: Kristi Disney BrucknerUNEP-IRMA Side Session. Credit: Kristi Disney BrucknerPartner

IRMA Engagement at IGF Annual General Meeting

13 November 2025By

This November IRMA participated in the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development (IGF) 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. IGF’s 86 Member Countries met with participants from around the world to discuss “Value Beyond Extraction: Rethinking Mining for a Resilient Future.”

The IGF AGM offers an opportunity for IRMA to gather with IRMA Members and AGM participants from around the globe and to contribute to discussions on key topics. This year IRMA’s contribution to the IGF AGM focused on organizing and co-facilitating a Partner-led Side Session with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

The UNEP-IRMA Side Session “Strategies for Strengthening Traceability and Circularity,” provided an overview of emerging strategies and partnerships for traceability and circularity, emphasizing opportunities to advance the General Principles and Actionable Recommendations from the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. The session outlined UNEP’s work on traceability and circularity, including the implementation of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) 6/5 Resolution on environmental aspects of minerals and metals; strategies from the African Union, G7, and G20; examples of approaches of voluntary standards; and a discussion of opportunities to build coherence to amplify positive impacts.

UNEP’s Charlotte Ndakorerwa opened the session with a summary of the UNEA Resolution 6/5, including development of a knowledge hub, and Colombia’s resolution for UNEA-7 on traceability and other aspects of minerals and metals. IRMA’s Law and Policy Director, Kristi Disney Bruckner, provided a brief overview of IRMA and examples of the many new initiatives in development, including the Future Minerals Forum Sustainability Framework, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Global Alliance for Responsible and Green Minerals, the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan and recently launched Roadmap, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards development, emerging national standards, and others. “This is an opportunity moment to build partnerships and coherence to amplify the positive impacts of these initiatives,” she said, “including to advance the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals Guiding Principles and Actionable Recommendations.”

Marit Kitaw of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Former Interim Director of the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) provided an overview of the African Union’s Green Minerals Strategy. The strategy aims to retain value that historically has been lost with exports, focusing on infrastructure, skills, technology, sustainability, value addition, and governance. “We need win-win partnerships,” Marit said, noting that Africa is endowed with over 30% of the world’s critical minerals. “Win-win means for everyone.”

Parliamentarian Nicolini, Former National Environment Secretary of Argentina, leading energy transition minerals discussions in Argentina and in MERCOSUR, shared development of a MERCOSUR Regional Strategic Minerals Plan, noting the need for regulatory harmonization and strengthening South-South relationships. “We can be more competitive in a sustainable world,” she said, with “a common voice in the international arena.”

Rodrigo Urquiza Caroca of Chile’s Ministry of Mining discussed Chile’s national strategies for energy transition minerals. Chile has built experience over more than 100 years, learning to balance environmental, social, and economic impacts and implement the International Labour Organization Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (ILO 169). Over 14 meetings with communities over two years informed Chile’s National Lithium Strategy. The country is also learning from its relationships and agreements with bordering countries.

The panel also discussed the work of the G7. Daniel Hill, Deputy Director of Natural Resources Canada, provided an overview of the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan and  Roadmap noting efforts on traceability, transparency, investment resiliency, innovation, anti-corruption, and performance-based criteria.

The work of civil society organizations is essential to inform and guide development of emerging frameworks. Erica Westenberg, Governance Programs Director at the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), shared experience collaborating with civil society to advance the objectives of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. Erica noted that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change has been silent on critical minerals and NRGI is working with others to change this to increase equity and justice in the minerals sector. Erica also discussed Colombia’s UNEA-7 resolution on minerals and metals, covering traceability and other topics that aim to advance the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel. In her remarks, Erica launched the Expert Group on Preventing Corruption in Transition Minerals report “From Mine to Market: Using Traceability to Fight Mineral Sector Corruption,” noting contributions from IRMA.

Inga Petersen, Executive Director of the Global Battery Alliance, shared GBA’s commitment to a multistakeholder approach to enhance traceability and circularity. “We need collaboration, now more than ever,” she said, noting that even with full recycling of batteries we will have more mining and need to scale social and environmental protections. “We need transparency to understand risks along the value chain,” she said, and “it can only be meaningful if it comes with accountability.” Inga shared an overview of GBA’s recently released Battery Benchmarks, inviting collaboration.

Discussion focused on the need to focus not only on producing countries but also on consumers to ask about responsible sourcing. Participants further discussed traceability, noting that while there is much progress to be made, this has been done in other high-risk and high-reward sectors, and we can learn from these efforts. The discussion also identified opportunities to focus more on value addition, end use of materials, and circularity.

Charlotte concluded the session, noting themes that emerged from the panel and discussion. “There is a need for alignment and interoperability,” she said. “We really need more partnership and collaboration at global and regional levels that are win-win.”

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Standards

IRMA Standard v2.0 – November 2025 Revision Update

12 November 2025By

The second public consultation on the IRMA Standard v2.0 closed a few days ago, and IRMA wants to warmly thank all the organizations and individuals that engaged.

Here are some initial statistics showing the level and diversity of interactions:

  • 82 organizations have engaged in the revision process, covering all regions of the world (see chart below).
  • Comments have been received from all categories of stakeholders and rights-holders, offering a wide and diverse range of perspectives.
  • We note and appreciate the substantial feedback received from multiple organizations that had not contributed during the first round.
  • Several organizations that had contributed during the first round have indicated to IRMA that they had no further comment to share during this second round.

As shown in the pie chart below, IRMA received submissions from all categories of stakeholders and rights-holders:

  • 29% of the contributing organizations are NGOs
  • 23% are companies involved in mining and/or processing and/or exploration
  • 15% are downstream purchasers of mined material
  • 11% are consultancy or audit firms
  • 8% are governments or multilateral organizations
  • 5% are finance institutions or banks or investors
  • 4% are Indigenous organizations
  • Remaining 5% include standard-setters, rating agencies, organized labor, affected communities, and academia

What’s next?

We will now carefully review and process all the contributions, in order to prepare a final version of the Standard which our equally-governed multi-stakeholder Board of Directors will use to inform its discussions and standard approval process.

In the meantime, we are collecting the final answers from the 52 individual Expert Advisors who volunteered to guide us with advice regarding targeted questions on 6 topics.

And a cross-stakeholder Expert Working Group on tailings and mine waste will start soon (its composition is being finalized).

The IRMA Standard v2.0 won’t be approved until the IRMA Board has had time to review such final version, discuss the changes and the recommendations of their constituencies, and has reached consensus.

 

If you have any question regarding this process ,you can contact our Standards Director, Pierre Petit-De Pasquale at: pdepasquale@responsiblemining.net

 

You can find more information about our Standards Development Process here.

 

Picture: Pixabay – Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license

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Audits

SCS to Conduct On-site IRMA Renewal Assessment of Valterra Platinum’s Unki Mine

7 November 2025By

Read this announcement in Shona

SCS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders

Today, November 7, SCS Global Services announces that from December 8 to December 13, its auditors will visit Valterra Platinum’s Unki Mine in the Midlands Province, Zimbabwe, to conduct the on-site phase of its independent Renewal Assessment (audit) evaluating the site’s continuing performance against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standard for Responsible Mining.

During the onsite visit, independent auditors from SCS Global Services will inspect the operation and associated facilities and collect feedback from local stakeholders – anyone directly or indirectly affected by the mine including community members, mine workers, and government officials.

The IRMA assessment results will be published on the IRMA audit page and available on request from the site. The IRMA audit report will describe how and why SCS Global Services scored Unki Mine against each of the 428 requirements of the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. The report will also  present an overall achievement level: IRMA Transparency, IRMA 50, IRMA 75, or IRMA 100.

8-13 December 2025

Your comments will help SCS Global Services assess the impact of Unki Mine on local communities and measure its performance against best mining practices. SCS Global Services invites you to sign up for an interview with auditors during the on-site visit, and/or submit written comments about Unki Mine using the contact details below.

Interviews can be held in Shona or English. Interviews requested by November 30 can be conducted remotely or in-person. Interview requests made after that date will most likely be conducted remotely but may also be conducted in-person if time permits, and remotely if it does not. Written comments can be submitted anytime until December 19.
On the web

Email: feedback@scsglobalservices.com

Telephone: +1 520 248 4276 (voice or text)

QR code to access online form:

QR code for SCS-IRMA-feedback
Comments and interviews are confidential and interviews are conducted without mine personnel present. SCS Global Services does not share the names of stakeholder interviewees/commenters or copies of written comments with Valterra Platinum or IRMA. Only the general nature of comments will be summarized in the final audit report.

Valterra Platinum uses the results on environmental and social performance of the Unki Mine to improve its practices. Other stakeholders, particularly affected communities and mine workers, may use this audit report to engage with Valterra Platinum and others to improve the operation in the ways that matter most to them.

Unki underwent a comprehensive Initial Audit in 2021 achieving IRMA 75, followed 3 years later by an abbreviated Surveillance Audit to ensure site performance still supported its IRMA Achievement level 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. Ordinarily the entire initial-surveillance-renewal audit cycle takes 3 years, but because Unki was the first operation to complete the cycle the timeframe was extended to accommodate learnings and process improvements

More Information 
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Part of the Sorowako complex Credit:PT Vale IndonesiaPart of the Sorowako complex Credit:PT Vale IndonesiaAudits

ERM CVS Akan Melakukan Penilaian Lapangan IRMA di Tambang Sorowako, PT Vale Indonesia Tbk

5 November 2025By

Dari auditor independen yang disetujui oleh IRMA, ERM CVS. Baca pengumuman ini dalam bahasa Inggris.

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ERM CVS Meminta Masukan dari Masyarakat Setempat dan Pemangku Kepentingan Lainnya untuk melengkapi proses penilaian audit IRMA

5 November 2025, ERM Certification and Verification Services (ERM CVS) mengumumkan bahwa pada 1–5 Desember 2025, tim auditor independen akan mengunjungi operasi pertambangan PT Vale Indonesia di Sorowako, Sulawesi Selatan, untuk melaksanakan tahapan penilaian lapangan sebagai bagian dari proses peninjauan atas standar Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA). Audit independen ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi kinerja operasi tambang berdasarkan Standar IRMA untuk Pertambangan yang Bertanggung Jawab. ERM CVS merupakan lembaga audit independen pihak ketiga yang telah disetujui oleh IRMA untuk melakukan audit berdasarkan standar tersebut.

Selama kunjungan lapangan, tim auditor ERM CVS akan meninjau area operasi tambang dan fasilitas terkait, serta mengumpulkan masukan dari para pemangku kepentingan lokal — termasuk anggota masyarakat, pekerja tambang, pejabat pemerintah, dan pihak lain yang secara langsung maupun tidak langsung terdampak oleh kegiatan pertambangan.

Setelah audit selesai, hasil penilaian akan disajikan dalam laporan publik yang akan diterbitkan secara lokal dan di situs resmi IRMA (Inggris). Laporan ini akan menjelaskan penilaian PT Vale Sorowako terhadap lebih dari 400 persyaratan dalam Standar IRMA, beserta alasan penentuan setiap skor yang diberikan. Audit ini juga akan menentukan tingkat capaian keseluruhan: IRMA Transparency, IRMA 50, IRMA 75, atau IRMA 100 (Inggris).

Hasil audit ini akan membantu PT Vale Indonesia dalam meningkatkan praktik pertambangan yang bertanggung jawab. Bagi pemangku kepentingan — terutama masyarakat sekitar dan pekerja — laporan ini menjadi sarana untuk berdialog secara setara dengan perusahaan terkait hal-hal yang paling penting bagi mereka.

1 – 5 Desember 2025

ERM CVS mengundang seluruh pemangku kepentingan untuk berpartisipasi dengan memberikan masukan atau mengikuti wawancara bersama auditor. Masukan Anda akan membantu menilai dampak sosial, lingkungan, dan ekonomi dari kegiatan operasional PT Vale Sorowako serta mengukur sejauh mana praktiknya sejalan dengan prinsip pertambangan yang bertanggung jawab.

Wawancara dapat dilakukan dalam Bahasa Indonesia atau Bahasa Inggris. Permintaan wawancara yang diterima sebelum 21 November 2025 dapat dijadwalkan secara luring (tatap muka) atau daring (online). Permintaan setelah 21 November akan disesuaikan dengan ketersediaan waktu. Masukan tertulis dapat dikirimkan hingga 5 Desember 2025 untuk dimasukkan dalam hasil audit.

Gunakan informasi kontak di bawah ini untuk meminta wawancara atau mengirimkan komentar.
Situs

Surel: post@ermcvs.com

Kode QR untuk mengakses formulir online:

ERM CVS contact QR code
Seluruh masukan dan wawancara bersifat rahasia. Wawancara dilakukan tanpa kehadiran perwakilan perusahaan, dan ERM CVS tidak akan membagikan identitas atau komentar tertulis para pemangku kepentingan kepada PT Vale Indonesia maupun IRMA. Hanya gambaran umum dari masukan yang akan dirangkum dalam laporan akhir audit.

Untuk informasi lebih lanjut tentang

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Part of the Sorowako complex Credit:PT Vale IndonesiaPart of the Sorowako complex Credit:PT Vale IndonesiaAudits

ERM CVS to Conduct On-site IRMA Assessment of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk’s Sorowako Mine

5 November 2025By

From IRMA approved independent auditor ERM CVS. View/download the announcement in Bahasa Indonesia.

ERM CVS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders

5 November 2025, ERM Certification and Verification Services (ERM CVS) announces that from 1-5 December 2025, an independent audit team will visit PT Vale Indonesia’s Sorowako mining operations in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, to conduct the on-site phase of its Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) assessment. This independent audit evaluates the operation’s performance against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. ERM CVS is an independent, third-party audit firm approved by IRMA to perform assessments against its standard.

During the on-site visit, ERM CVS auditors will tour the mine and its associated facilities and collect feedback from local stakeholders — including community members, mine workers, government officials, and others directly or indirectly affected by the operation.

Upon completion, the audit will result in a publicly available report, published on the IRMA audit page. The report will outline how PT Vale’s Sorowako operations performed against more than 400 requirements of the IRMA Standard, providing detailed explanations of the scores assigned. The audit will also determine an overall achievement level: IRMA Transparency, IRMA 50, IRMA 75, or IRMA 100.

The audit findings will enable PT Vale Indonesia to enhance its responsible mining practices. For stakeholders —particularly community members and workers — the report provides an opportunity to engage constructively with the company on areas of shared concern and improvement.

1 – 5 December 2025

ERM CVS invites all stakeholders to participate by sharing feedback or requesting an interview with the auditors. Your insights will help assess the social, environmental, and economic impacts of PT Vale’s operations and measure its alignment with responsible mining best practices.

Interviews can be conducted in English or Bahasa Indonesia. Requests submitted by 21 November 2025 can be scheduled in-person or remotely. Requests made after 21 November will be accommodated as time permits. Written comments can be submitted until 5 December 2025 to be included in the audit.
On the web

Email: post@ermcvs.com

QR code to access online form:

ERM CVS contact QR code
Comments and interviews are confidential, and interviews are conducted without mine personnel present. ERM CVS does not share the names of stakeholders or copies of written comments with the mine or IRMA. Only the general nature of comments will be summarized in the final audit report.

For more information

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Barro Alto. Credit: Anglo AmericanBarro Alto. Credit: Anglo AmericanAudits

Anglo American’s Barro Alto Nickel Mine Completes IRMA Surveillance Audit

31 October 2025By

On 31 October 2025 the Initiative for Responsible Mining (IRMA) released the surveillance audit report of Anglo American’s Barro Alto nickel mine, located in Brazil’s state of Goiás. IRMA-approved audit firm ERM CVS conducted the audit and assessed the progress made on the corrective action plan that the operation committed to in the initial audit report. Throughout the surveillance audit, ERM CVS found Chapter 2.2 – Free, Prior and Informed Consent of the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining as relevant and this chapter will be fully evaluated during the renewal audit.

IRMA’s independent assessment cycle occurs in 3 stages: (1) initial audit, (2) surveillance audit, and (3) reassessment audit. Mines in the IRMA system must undergo a surveillance audit during each 3-year audit cycle, and this audit must occur between 12 and 18 months after an initial audit report has been publicly released. Surveillance audits are not full audits, meaning that conformance with all requirements reviewed in the initial audit does not need to be re-established. Typically, during a surveillance audit the audit team verifies that the mine’s systems and controls are still in place and are functioning effectively, that no major changes have occurred since the initial audit that negatively affect the mine’s performance. The surveillance audit includes confidential interviews with workers and engagement with Indigenous rightsholders and community stakeholders. The initial and surveillance IRMA audit reports for the operation are available on the Barro Alto Mine audit page on the IRMA website.

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 affected 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.

On February 18, 2025, Anglo American announced the sale of the Barro Alto operation to MMG Singapore Resources Pte. Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of MMG Limited. The sale of the operation is subject to a number of conditions, including customary competition and regulatory clearances, with completion of the sale expected by Q3 2025.

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).

NOTE: A Portuguese language version of this report will be published within the next week.

For More Information:

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Barro Alto. Credit: Anglo AmericanBarro Alto. Credit: Anglo AmericanAudits

Mina de níquel Barro Alto da Anglo American conclui auditoria de vigilância IRMA

31 October 2025By

Em 31 de outubro de 2025, a Iniciativa de Asseguração de Mineração Responsável (IRMA) publicou o relatório de auditoria de vigilância da mina de níquel Barro Alto da Anglo American, localizada no estado de Goiás, Brasil. A empresa de auditoria ERM CVS, aprovada pela IRMA, conduziu a auditoria e avaliou o progresso feito no plano de ação corretiva que a operação se comprometeu a cumprir no relatório de auditoria inicial. Ao longo da auditoria de vigilância, a ERM CVS considerou o Capítulo 2.2 – Consentimento Livre, Prévio e Informado do Padrão IRMA para Mineração Responsável como relevante, e esse capítulo será avaliado integralmente durante a auditoria de renovação.

O ciclo de avaliação independente da IRMA ocorre em três etapas: (1) auditoria inicial, (2) auditoria de vigilância e (3) auditoria de reavaliação. As minas no sistema IRMA devem passar por uma auditoria de vigilância durante cada ciclo de auditoria de três anos, e essa auditoria deve ocorrer entre 12 e 18 meses após a divulgação pública do relatório da auditoria inicial. As auditorias de vigilância não são auditorias completas, o que significa que não é necessário restabelecer a conformidade com todos os requisitos analisados na auditoria inicial. Normalmente, durante uma auditoria de vigilância, a equipe de auditoria verifica se os sistemas e controles da mina ainda estão em vigor e funcionando de forma eficaz, e se não ocorreram mudanças significativas desde a auditoria inicial que afetem negativamente o desempenho da mina. A auditoria de vigilância inclui entrevistas confidenciais com trabalhadores e o envolvimento com detentores de direitos indígenas e partes interessadas da comunidade. Os relatórios da auditoria inicial e de vigilância da IRMA para a operação estão disponíveis na página de auditoria da mina Barro Alto no site da IRMA.

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.

Em 18 de fevereiro de 2025, a Anglo American anunciou a venda da operação Barro Alto para a MMG Singapore Resources Pte. Ltd, uma subsidiária integral da MMG Limited. A venda da operação está sujeita a uma série de condições, incluindo as habituais autorizações regulatórias e de concorrência, com a conclusão da venda prevista para o terceiro trimestre de 2025.

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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Credit: Freesvg.comCredit: Freesvg.comLabor

Strengthening Worker Voice: Reflections on IRMA’s First Labor Members Meeting

29 October 2025By

The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) marked an important milestone with its first-ever meeting dedicated to labor members. This gathering brought together worker representatives from different regions and sectors, creating a space to exchange experiences and discuss how to strengthen the role of labor within the IRMA system. The meeting was framed not simply as a coordination platform, but as the foundation of a community that amplifies worker voices within the IRMA system.

The discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring that worker participation goes beyond the audit process and becomes central to the continuous improvement of mining operations.

The meeting included a presentation on the current scope of mining sites engaged with IRMA, showing the system’s growing global reach. Over one hundred companies and more than a hundred mine sites are currently engaged in the IRMA system, through either self-assessments or independent audits. The discussions explored how labor can leverage these opportunities to strengthen worker representation and ensure that mine audits reflect the realities on the ground.

Members also learned how other sector groups within IRMA such as affected communities, finance, civil society, and purchasing representatives have structured their collaboration. These insights provided useful examples of how labor can organize its own network to promote coordination, share knowledge, and strengthen the IRMA system.

A key outcome of the meeting was the identification of priorities for the labor sector. Members emphasized the need for greater capacity building and awareness-raising to support and build the capacity of unions and workers to understand IRMA’s Standard and assessment process. They proposed developing accessible training materials, using visual tools and translations to make information easier to share locally. Participants also called for structured onboarding support for new members and a step-by-step guide to participating in audit-related activities.

Another priority discussed was the importance of stronger coordination and collaboration. Members emphasized the need for consistent information sharing and regular updates from IRMA to ensure that labor perspectives are well integrated into ongoing activities. The meeting concluded with a proposal to hold regular bi-monthly calls, which will allow members to share progress, align priorities, and maintain momentum between in-person meetings.

The inaugural meeting marked a significant step forward in IRMA’s engagement with the labor sector. If you are an IRMA labor member and would like to be part of these conversations going forward, please contact Davidzo Muchawaya (dmuchawaya@responsiblemining.net)

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Partner

New Collaboration Promotes Responsible Sourcing of Platinum Group Metals

27 October 2025By
London Platinum and Palladium Market and the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance Increasing Value for More Responsible Business Practices

Oct 27 – The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) and the London Platinum and Palladium Market (LPPM) announced a new, non-exclusive collaboration to advance responsible sourcing in the platinum group metals (PGM) value chain. This partnership strengthens shared approaches to assurance and supports the mutual members of both organizations.

As two key entities focused on the responsible production of PGMs, IRMA and LPPM are committed to best practices and to advancing transparent and effective systems that are responsive to the needs of mining-affected stakeholders and rightsholders. This collaboration comes at a time of increasing global scrutiny, regulatory requirements, and rising stakeholder expectations for responsible mining and sourcing.

“The London Platinum and Palladium Market is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, through the LPPM’s Responsible Sourcing Committee,” said John Cullen, Chair of the LPPM. “We look forward to the collaboration yielding benefits for all our members and the entire PGM Industry.”

“Working with LPPM illustrates IRMA’s collaborative approach to improving mining practices,” said Aimee Boulanger, IRMA Executive Director. “Learning from each other will help us achieve our vision to increase value for the efforts of mining companies who respect the human rights of affected communities, provide healthy and supportive workplaces, minimize environmental harm, and leave positive legacies.”

The two organizations have prioritized three key areas of collaboration:

  • Maintaining a regular, constructive dialogue on the metrics for best practices that drive more responsible mining practices
  • Jointly listening to member needs, seeking to support and bring reputational and financial value to companies improving practices
  • Exchanging knowledge to improve the approach of how we measure performance through audits that are trusted

More Info:

LPPM is a trade association that oversees and promotes the trading of platinum and palladium in London, with a primary focus on market quality and the responsible sourcing of PGMs. IRMA is a non-profit that works to better protect communities and the environment by creating financial value for mine sites whose performance is independently and transparently audited against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining.

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Mototolo PGM mining operation. Credit: Anglo AmericanMototolo PGM mining operation. Credit: Anglo AmericanAudits

ERM CVS to Conduct On-site IRMA Surveillance Assessment of Valterra Platinum Mototolo operations

24 October 2025By

From IRMA approved independent auditor ERM CVS. View/download the announcement as PDF in Sepedi

ERM CVS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders

ERM CVS announces that on 24-26 November 2025 it will visit the Valterra Platinum Mototolo complex in South Africa’s Limpopo province to conduct an independent, third-party Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) surveillance assessment of the operation..

The initial audit report of Valterra Platinum’s Mototolo mining complex was released on 16 February 2024 with an achievement level of IRMA 75. The report is available on the IRMA website: https://responsiblemining.net/mototolo.

The onsite surveillance audit will verify that the site operations continue to align with the performance previously recognized in the initial audit report. 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 community stakeholders. Following the completion of the surveillance audit, a report will be published on the IRMA website.

The abbreviated surveillance audit summary report will provide Valterra Platinum and stakeholders insight into continuity of operations, material changes, and evidence of continued improvement. A full reassessment audit will occur three years after the release of the initial audit report.

24 – 26 November 2025

Your comments will help ERM CVS assess the impact of Valterra Platinum’s Mototolo mine 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 Valterra Platinum Mototolo mine using the contact details below.

Interviews can be held in English and Sepedi. You must contact us before 17 November 2025 to be interviewed. Written comments submitted before 25 November 2025 will be incorporated into the results of this audit.
On the web

Email: post@ermcvs.com

Telephone: +27 10 596 3740

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.

For more information about

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