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Amandelbult PGM Complex. Credit: Anglo AmericanAmandelbult PGM Complex. Credit: Anglo AmericanAudits

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

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

ERM CVS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders

ERM CVS announces that on 18-20 November 2025 it will visit the Valterra Platinum Amandelbult mining 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 Amandelbult mining complex was released on 16 February 2024 with an achievement level of IRMA 50. The report is available on the IRMA website: https://responsiblemining.net/amandelbult.

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.

18 – 20 November 2025

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

Interviews can be held in English, Setswana, Sepedi and isiXhosa. You must contact us before 11 November 2025 to be interviewed. Written comments submitted before 19 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.

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IRMA and ResponsibleGlass logosIRMA and ResponsibleGlass logosPartner

ResponsibleGlass and IRMA forge foundational partnership to drive responsibility in glass supply chains

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Date: 21 October 2025.   ResponsibleGlass, the newly formed global multi-stakeholder not-for-profit standards and certification programme for the responsible low-carbon production of glass, today announced a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA).

This MOU marks the first major collaboration for ResponsibleGlass and establishes a clear path to align the new developing glass standard with IRMA’s comprehensive best practices for the responsible extraction and processing of the materials critical to glassmaking, including sand, silicates and soda ash (trona).

Both organisations share a core belief in the value of multi-stakeholder governance – involving civil society, labour advocates, mining and processing companies, manufacturers, product end users and the finance sector – to drive positive environmental and social change.

The collaboration will focus on several significant areas:

  • Standards Alignment: ResponsibleGlass will align its requirements for the sourcing of mined materials with IRMA’s established standards to strengthen due diligence and transparency from the points of extraction.
  • Avoiding duplication: by leveraging IRMA’s existing assurance system for raw materials, the partnership aims to avoid duplication and inefficiency in developing standards for the entire glass supply chain.
  • Market Demand:  the organisations will work together to communicate with downstream glass users, building market demand for responsibly sourced glass in high growth sectors such as building, automotive, solar and technology industries.
  • Shared systems: the organisations will also explore the potential to develop joint systems for managing the chain of custody of materials through the glass supply chain, from “cradle to grave”.

Francis Sullivan, chair of ResponsibleGlass, commented on the significance of the partnership:

“This partnership with IRMA is a foundational step for ResponsibleGlass and immediately injects world-class credibility into our initiative.  Our mission is to ensure the entire glass supply chain is responsible, and that journey starts at the source. By aligning with IRMA, the global leader in responsible mining assurance, we will ensure our standard for essential inputs like sand and soda ash are robust, credible, and truly benefit the people and lands involved in extraction.  This is how we build a glass standard the world can trust.”

Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director of IRMA highlighted the strategic alignment:

“IRMA’s standards are built on a foundation of multi-stakeholder equal governance, driving value for better social and environmental practices in mining.  This collaboration with ResponsibleGlass is a logical and powerful extension of our work. It allows us to apply our expertise to key glass inputs – avoiding duplication and accelerating market demand for responsibly sourced glass in critical sectors. This partnership shows how two independent organisations can collectively create a more resilient and responsible global supply chain.”

The specific actions and joint programmes under the MOU will be developed over time, focusing on accelerating the shift toward more responsible practices across the glass industry.

FOR MORE INFO contact:
Ali Lucas, Project Director – ResponsibleGlass +44 (0) 7786 546724
Ali.lucas@responsibleglass.org

Rebecca Burton, Deputy Director – IRMA
info@responsiblemining.net

NOTES: 

  1. This MOU is nonexclusive between ResponsibleGlass and IRMA.
  2. Further information on ResponsibleGlass can be found here: www.responsibleglass.org
  3. Further information on IRMA can be found here: www.responsiblemining.net

 

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Glen MpufaneGlen MpufaneLabor

A Farewell to Glen Mpufane

It is with enormous gratitude and affection that we note that Glen Mpufane of IndustriALL, one of IRMA’s founding Board Members, is leaving the IRMA Board. His fellow Board members and colleagues have taken this milestone as an opportunity to explain why he has been such an important part of IRMA’s creation and success.

Aimee Boulanger
Aimee Boulanger

Aimee Boulanger, IRMA Executive Director:

“As long as there has been IRMA, there has been Glen Mpufane at the leadership table, speaking for the rights for workers, and the people living closest to mining operations. Having worked in underground mines in South Africa, to serving the global labor movement, Glen’s career is unparalleled in the respect and trust he’s earned. Glen holds industry to fulfilling its opportunity to better serve people and the lands on which they rely, and he has held IRMA’s accountability to be a constructive lever to this end. We commit to carrying on his dedication — it’s now in our DNA.”

Jamie Bonham
Jamie Bonham

Jamie Bonham, NEI Investments and IRMA Board Chair:

“Glen has helped set the foundation upon which IRMA thrives today. His commitment to the ethos of collaboration and the integrity with which he engaged on tough issues is weaved into the fabric of IRMA and it has been a pleasure and an honour to learn from him. He is also a huge footy (“soccer”) fan and if that isn’t a sign of intelligence, I don’t know what is.”

Jim Wormington
Jim Wormington

Jim Wormington, Human Rights Watch:

“Glen’s quiet but incisive wisdom has been a huge asset to IRMA. He embodies the spirit of principled collaboration needed to solve problems while advancing rights, and it’s been a great pleasure getting to know him over the past few years.”

Johannes Danz
Johannes Danz

Johannes Danz, Mercedes-Benz Group:

“Glen has been nothing less than a calm rock on stormy days—consistently and constructively making the case for workers’ rights with utmost integrity. It has been an honor serving on the board with him.”

Sarah Makumbe
Sarah Makumbe

Sarah Makumbe, formerly of Anglo American:

“I worked with Glen on the IRMA board for three years and I learnt a lot from him. He is a partner who listens objectively to all views and can also challenge respectfully. I observed him engage in difficult conversations through multi-stakeholder partnerships like IRMA to ensure the best outcomes for the constituents he served, the amazing mining workforce. Glen is also very knowledgeable about various jurisdictions and was keen to extend his networks to aid collaboration. It was a real pleasure to work with Glen and wish him a restful next chapter.”

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Sibanye-Stillwater US PGM operation. Credit: Sibanye-StillwaterSibanye-Stillwater US PGM operation. Credit: Sibanye-StillwaterAudits

Audit of Sibanye-Stillwater US PGM operation postponed

IRMA and Sibanye-Stillwater have postponed the independent audit of the US PGM operations near Stillwater, Montana. The first stage of the IRMA independent audit process, which includes a desktop review, was completed in November 2023. According to IRMA’s procedures, the next stage, which includes an on-site audit and stakeholder engagement, should have been completed by November 2024.

The site requested, and was granted, an extension by IRMA in 2024. When Sibanye-Stillwater resumes their participation in the IRMA independent audit process, they will need to refresh the Stage 1 desk review before moving on to the Stage 2 on-site audit. When the audit process is resumed, IRMA will announce this.

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Audits

Valterra Platinum’s Unki Mine is First to Undergo IRMA Renewal Audit

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:

On the web

Email: feedback@scsglobalservices.com

QR code to access online form:

QR code for SCS-IRMA-feedback

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.

More Information 
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Gerdau logoGerdau logoAudits

Gerdau’s Várzea do Lopes Iron Ore Mine Completes IRMA Audit

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

On 9 October 2025 the Initiative for Responsible Mining (IRMA) released the audit report of Gerdau’s Várzea do Lopes iron ore mine against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. The Várzea do Lopes Mine is located in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state in the municipality of Itabirito. Independent audit firm SCS Global Services assessed the Várzea do Lopes Mine at IRMA Transparency when measuring its performance against the Standard’s best practice social and environmental criteria.

IRMA Transparency means that the operation has been independently audited against all relevant requirements in IRMA’s Standard and has publicly shared its audit scores and the basis for auditors’ findings. By sharing such extensive information, a mine provides diverse stakeholders with the information needed to understand the mine’s operations and encourage improvement as needed. The full audit report is available on the Várzea do Lopes 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 July 17, 2025, Gerdau announced the signing of an agreement for the full transfer of mining rights related to the operation of the Várzea do Lopes Mine, located in Itabirito (MG). The new holder of these rights is Várzea do Lopes Mineração S.A., a company controlled by the same partners of Avante Participações e Negócios Ltda.

With this transaction, the new holder of the mining rights assumes full responsibility for the operation and production of iron ore at the Várzea do Lopes Mine.

This initiative is part of Gerdau’s process of reorganizing its mining assets, aiming to concentrate its own mining operations in the Miguel Burnier asset, located in Ouro Preto (MG).

Including the Várzea do Lopes Mine, 26 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.

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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Gerdau logoGerdau logoAudits

Mina de minério de ferro Complexo Várzea do Lopes da Gerdau completa auditoria da IRMA

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

9 de outubro de 2025 – A Iniciativa de Asseguração de Mineração Responsável (IRMA) publicou o relatório de auditoria do Complexo Várzea do Lopes, da Gerdau, com base no Padrão IRMA para Mineração Responsável. A Complexo Várzea do Lopes está localizada no estado brasileiro de Minas Gerais, no município de Itabirito. A empresa de auditoria independente SCS Global Services avaliou a Complexo Várzea do Lopes com o IRMA Transparência ao medir seu desempenho em relação aos critérios sociais e ambientais de melhores práticas da Padrão.

IRMA Transparência significa que a operação foi auditada de forma independente em relação a todos os requisitos relevantes do Padrão IRMA e que compartilhou publicamente suas pontuações de auditoria e a base para as conclusões dos auditores. Ao compartilhar essas informações abrangentes, uma mina fornece às diversas partes interessadas as informações necessárias para compreender as operações da mina e incentivar melhorias, conforme necessário. O relatório completo da auditoria está disponível na página de auditoria do Complexo Várzea do Lopes no site do 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 17 de julho de 2025, a Gerdau anunciou a assinatura de um acordo para a transferência integral dos direitos minerários relacionados à operação da Mina Várzea do Lopes, localizada em Itabirito (MG). A nova detentora desses direitos é a Várzea do Lopes Mineração S.A., empresa controlada pelos mesmos sócios da Avante Participações e Negócios Ltda.

Com essa transação, o novo detentor dos direitos minerários assume total responsabilidade pela operação e produção de minério de ferro no Complexo Várzea do Lopes.

Esta iniciativa faz parte do processo de reorganização dos ativos de mineração da Gerdau, com o objetivo de concentrar suas operações de mineração no ativo Miguel Burnier, localizado em Ouro Preto (MG).

Incluindo a Complexo Várzea do Lopes, 26 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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Sishen Mine. Credit: Anglo American KumbaSishen Mine. Credit: Anglo American KumbaAudits

On-site Surveillance Audit at Sishen in October

From IRMA approved independent auditor ERM CVS. View/download the announcement as PDF in Afrikaans | English | Setswana

ERM CVS to Conduct On-site IRMA Surveillance Assessment of Anglo American/Kumba Iron Ore Sishen operations

ERM CVS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders

ERM CVS announces that on 22-24 October 2025 it will visit the Anglo American – Kumba Iron Ore – Sishen mining operations in South Africa’s Northern Cape province to conduct an independent, third-party Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) surveillance assessment of the operation.

The initial audit report of Anglo American – Kumba Iron Ore – Sishen mine operations was released on 27 March 2024 with an achievement level of IRMA 75. The report is available on the IRMA website: https://responsiblemining.net/sishen

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 Anglo American 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.

22-24 October 2025

Your comments will help ERM CVS assess the impact of Anglo American – Kumba Iron Ore – Sishen 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 Anglo American – Kumba Iron Ore – Sishen mine using the contact details below.

Interviews can be held in English, Setswana and Afrikaans. Interviews requested by 15 October 2025 can be conducted remotely or in-person. Interview requests after 15 October can be in-person if time permits, and remotely if it does not. Feedback and comments can be submitted anytime until 24 October 2025.

On the web

Email: post@ermcvs.com

Telephone: +27 10 596 3740

QR code to access online form:

ERM CVS contact QR code

For more information about

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Leeufontein pit at Kolomela Iron Ore Mine. Credit: Anglo American KumbaLeeufontein pit at Kolomela Iron Ore Mine. Credit: Anglo American KumbaAudits

On-site Surveillance Audit at Kolomela in October

From IRMA approved independent auditor ERM CVS. View/download the announcement as PDF in Afrikaans | English | Setswana

ERM CVS to Conduct On-site IRMA Surveillance Assessment of Anglo American/Kumba Iron Ore Kolomela operations

ERM CVS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders

ERM CVS announces that on 20-21 October 2025 it will visit the Anglo American – Kumba Iron Ore – Kolomela mining operations in South Africa’s Northern Cape province to conduct an independent, third-party Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) surveillance assessment of the operation.

The initial audit report of Anglo American – Kumba Iron Ore – Kolomela mine operations was released on 27 March 2024 with an achievement level of IRMA 75. The report is available on the IRMA website: https://responsiblemining.net/kolomela.

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 Anglo American 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.

20-21 October 2025

Your comments will help ERM CVS assess the impact of Anglo American – Kumba Iron Ore – Kolomela 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 Anglo American – Kumba Iron Ore – Kolomela mine using the contact details below.

Interviews can be held in English, Setswana and Afrikaans. Interviews requested by 13 October 2025 can be conducted remotely or in-person. Interview requests made after 13 October can be in-person if time permits, and remotely if it does not. Feedback and comments can be submitted anytime until 21 October 2025.

On the web

Email: post@ermcvs.com

Telephone: +27 10 596 3740

QR code to access online form:

ERM CVS contact QR code

For more information about

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Climate

Climate Action in the DRAFT IRMA Mining Standard v2.0

[This blog was co-authored by Kristi Disney Bruckner and Pierre Petit-de Pasquale]

As we return from the Africa Climate Summit 2.0 and participate in Climate Week NYC, it seems especially timely to answer the question, “What’s new on climate action in the second draft of the DRAFT IRMA Mining Standard v2.0?”

We’d like to take this opportunity to share substantial updates on coverage of this topic in the proposed Chapter 4.6: Climate Action.

Here’s a summary of relevant changes to the IRMA Standard in 13 points that help advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action!

  1. Requirements for sites to assess their own contribution to climate change, in collaboration with stakeholders.
  2. Requirements that sites consider energy efficiency and minimization of greenhouse gas emissions when selecting technology options and alternatives for energy sources, mining and processing methods, technologies and equipment, and the design of new buildings and facilities, as well as when there are opportunities to replace, upgrade, or add technology, or change processes.
  3. Including emissions from land use changes and reductions in land carbon stock arising from the site’s direct activities in the quantification of Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
    Requiring screening and calculation of Scope 3 emissions using credible methodologies, verified by a credible third-party expert.
  4. Annual measure of energy consumption from sources of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
  5. Requiring sites to undertake a scoping exercise, in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy, to identify sources of direct and/or indirect emissions that can be eliminated and/or that have the highest reduction potential, for which energy efficiency could be improved, and—as a last resort—opportunities for carbon capture and storage of any emissions that cannot be avoided.
  6. Prioritizing these options, while ensuring that any emission-reduction opportunity takes into consideration the potential adverse social and human rights impacts arising from its implementation.
  7. Requiring sites to have greenhouse gas (GHG) and energy targets that are in line with the Paris Agreement at either the level of the site or the level of the company, unless the site meets all the criteria for Green Enabling Projects and can demonstrate the environmental benefits of its production’s end-use.
  8. Requiring sites to have a GHG and energy management plan that builds on the scoping, prioritization and target-setting requirements.
  9. Integrating traditional knowledge, and especially traditional ecological knowledge, of local affected communities, and Indigenous rights-holders if applicable, into scoping, development, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the GHG and energy management plan.
  10. Requiring sites to track and document their performances on increasing the proportion of energy consumed at the site that comes from renewable sources, over successive time periods, against the targets required.
  11. Using the monitoring and evaluation results to develop and implement time-bound corrective measures to continuously improve the scoping, target-setting, management/mitigation, and monitoring processes.
  12. Requiring more information to be made publicly accessible. (See details in Section 4.6.11).

What do you think?

We’d love your input on these proposed updates to the Climate Action Chapter and on any proposed updates to the IRMA Standard. You can submit comments on our online commenting form, simply send your comments to comments@responsiblemining.net or via WhatsApp to +1-303-202-1445, or use any of the many options for submitting comments here.

Learn more about the DRAFT IRMA Mining Standard v2.0 public consultation, open to all through 22 October 2025 here.

Thank you for sharing your experience and insights to improve the IRMA Mining Standard!

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