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Credit: Tenke Fungurume MiningCredit: Tenke Fungurume MiningAudits

Le groupe minier CMOC entreprend un audit IRMA sur son site de TFM en RDC

L’Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA, en français : Initiative pour l’Assurance d’une Activité Minière Responsable) a le plaisir d’annoncer que le complexe minier Tenke Fengurume Mining (TFM) va être évalué de manière indépendante selon le « Standard IRMA pour une exploitation minière responsable », par un cabinet d’audit externe accrédité par IRMA. TFM extrait du cuivre et du cobalt en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC).

ERM CVS, un des cabinets d’audit indépendants agréés par IRMA, réalisera cette évaluation qui comprend d’abord une analyse documentaire (phase 1) puis un audit sur site (phase 2). A l’issue de ce processus, un rapport d’audit initial sera remis par ERM CVS à IRMA et à CMOC. Après analyse de ce rapport, le groupe minier CMOC pourra décider soit de le rendre public immédiatement et de recevoir le niveau de performance correspondant, soit de mettre en œuvre des mesures correctives (dans un délai maximal de douze mois) avant de refaire l’objet d’une nouvelle évaluation suivie de la publication d’un rapport final et de l’attribution du niveau de performance correspondant.

Participation des parties prenantes à l’évaluation

Les parties prenantes intéressées, les ayants-droits, et l’ensemble de la population peuvent s’inscrire pour recevoir des informations cet audit (par exemple, le calendrier de la visite sur site pour la phase 2 de l’audit, le lien vers le rapport d’audit une fois publié). La page « Independently Assessing Mines » du site web d’IRMA fourni également des informations actualisées sur tous les audits.

Les personnes riveraines du site, les membres des communautés locales, villes et villages, les fonctionnaires, les représentants et représentantes du personnel et des sous-traitants, et toutes autres organisations intéressées sont invités à soumettre d’ores et déjà leurs commentaires sur la manière dont le site minier est géré. Tous les sujets peuvent être abordés, que cela concerne les conséquences éventuelles sur l’environnement, en lien notamment avec l’eau, l’air, les déchets, les gaz à effet de serre et les écosystèmes ; la manière dont l’entreprise traite ses travailleurs et travailleuses ; ou les conséquences, positives ou négatives, de l’activité du site sur les communautés environnantes et la manière dont l’entreprise interagit avec elles.

Les personnes et organisations intéressées peuvent contacter le cabinet d’audit indépendant ERM CVS pour faire part de leurs commentaires ou demander à être consultées dans le cadre du processus d’audit. Le cabinet d’audit peut être contacté par e-mail:

Amanda Russell, e-mail :
post@ermcvs.com

Ou à l’adresse suivante :
ERM Certification and Verification Services Limited
Exchequer Court, 33 St Mary Axe, Londres, EC3A 8AA

Merci de partager au maximum cette annonce, et n’hésitez pas à contacter directement ERM CVS pour leur communiquer les noms et coordonnées d’autres parties prenantes qui pourraient être intéressées par cet audit et pour y prendre part.

Pour plus d’informations

  • Pour plus d’informations sur le processus IRMA pour l’évaluation des sites miniers, consultez le site web d’IRMA.
  • Pour plus d’informations sur l’audit du complexe minier Tenke Fengurume Mining (TFM), consultez la page dédiée sur le site d’IRMA.
  • Si vous souhaitez obtenir plus d’informations sur la manière dont l’audit du complexe TFM est mené selon le Standard IRMA, veuillez contacter la Directrice des Audits d’IRMA : Michelle Smith, audits (at) responsiblemining.net
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Credit: Tenke Fungurume MiningCredit: Tenke Fungurume MiningAudits

CMOC commits TFM complex to IRMA audit

The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) is pleased to announce that the CMOC Group has committed its Tenke Fengurume Mining (TFM) complex to third-party independent assessment against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. TFM extracts copper and cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

ERM CVS, an IRMA-approved independent audit firm, will be carrying out the assessment, which includes a desk review (stage 1) followed by an onsite audit (stage 2). After the ERM CVS draft audit report is reviewed by IRMA and CMOC, the company may release the report or has the option to take up to twelve months to implement corrective actions and be re-assessed before a final report is published and a Performance Level assigned.

Stakeholder Engagement in the Assessment

Interested stakeholders and members of the public can sign up to receive updates about the TFM assessment (e.g., the timing of the stage 2 onsite visit, link to public summary of audit results). The Mines Under Assessment page of IRMA’s website will also provide up-to-date information on all assessments.

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

ERM Certification and Verification Services Limited
Exchequer Court, 33 St Mary Axe, London, EC3A 8AA
Amanda Russell, Email: post@ermcvs.com

Please share this announcement, and feel free to contact ERM CVS directly to provide names and contact information for other TFM stakeholders who may be interested in knowing about and participating in the mine site assessment process.

For more information

  • For information on the IRMA mine site assessment process and timeline.
  • For information about the Tenke Fengurume Mining (TFM) audit, visit IRMA’s TFM assessment status page.
  • If you would like more information on how the audit of the TFM complex is conducted against the IRMA standard — contact IRMA’s Director of Assurance: Michelle Smith, audits (at) responsiblemining.net.
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Credit: Suki Lee via Pexels.com (free use license)Credit: Suki Lee via Pexels.com (free use license)Standards

Update on the IRMA Mining Standard revision process

Background

Following the release of a 1st Draft of the IRMA Mining Standard V2.0 in October 2023 for a 90-day public consultation, the IRMA Secretariat received more than 2,500 points of comments from 82 organizations, organized additional engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous rights-holders, and solicited complementary guidance from multiple topic-specific Expert Working Groups.

We first anticipated the release of a 2nd Draft – for a second round of public consultation – as early as Q3 2024, then subsequently announced that this would likely not be approved by the IRMA multi-stakeholder equally-governed Board of Directors before March 2025. We provided a detailed explanation for why the process was taking longer than planned.

Where are we now?

We are now in June and a sub-group of the IRMA Board of Directors is still actively working to resolve the final points of disagreements. This discussion is entirely focused on the draft revised Chapter dedicated to the management of Mine Waste Facilities, including tailings storage/management facilities (TSF or TMF), especially with regard to the GISTM standard and the recent announcement of a Global Tailings Management Institute being established to oversee it.

Once all issues are resolved and approved by the IRMA Board, the Secretariat will be able to release the 2nd Draft IRMA Mining Standard V2.0 for a 60-day consultation period.

(NOTE: the Board agreeing to release a Draft Standard for consultation does not constitute endorsement of everything in the Standard; it will be an invitation to the world to help further improve and refine the revision of the IRMA Mining Standard for the Responsible Exploration, Extraction, and Processing of Minerals.)

Expert Working Groups: 2025 and beyond

At the time of the release of the 2nd Draft IRMA Mining Standard V2.0 for public consultation, the IRMA Secretariat plans to circulate a call for interest to refresh and restart the topic-specific IRMA Expert Working Groups (EWG). The final list of topics to be covered is being finalized, and Terms of Reference are being updated.

We express our gratitude to you all again for your patience and understanding, as IRMA remains committed to working transparently on the revision of the world’s most comprehensive and rigorous standard available for the minerals sector.

If you don’t want to miss the relevant announcements, make sure to subscribe to the IRMA Newsletter!
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Audits

Resilience Environmental Assurance approved to conduct IRMA audits

The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) is pleased to announce that South Africa-based Resilience  Environmental Assurance (REA) is now approved to conduct independent assessments of mining operations against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. Resilience joins KPMG PRI, ERM CVS and SCS Global Services to become the fourth IRMA approved audit firm.

Resilience will transparently and independently audit those mining operations which volunteer to be assessed against the 26 chapters and 400+ requirements of the IRMA Standard. Audit firms announce their assessments in advance so that assessors can interview not just mine management, but also affected community members and mine workers (among others).

“The addition of Resilience as an approved audit firm underscores IRMA’s commitment to answering the increasing demand for responsibly sourced minerals.” — Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director of IRMA.

Resilience Environmental Assurance’s approval as an IRMA audit firm marks a pivotal step in our journey towards fostering responsible mining practices worldwide. This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility within the mining sector. As Managing Director, I am immensely proud of our team’s dedication and hard work in reaching this milestone. As a boutique firm, we are eager to leverage our deep local expertise, personalized service by our highly experienced team, agility, and global presence to conduct comprehensive, accurate, and independent assessments in support of responsible mining. Together with IRMA, we aim to drive transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, paving the way for a more sustainable and ethical mining industry.” — Warrick Stewart, Managing Director,Resilience  Environmental Assurance.

IRMA is a system in three parts:

  1. A global standard describing best practices for environmental and social responsibility, against which mines at any point in their journey to improve practices may be measured;
  2. An assessment process to measure achievement of mining operations against that standard such that the process builds trust in the independence of that assessment, and value for more responsible practice; and
  3. Equal governance and oversight by mining affected stakeholders such that communities, labor unions and other public sector representatives have the same voting power as mining companies and other private sector representatives.
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Barro Alto. Credit: Anglo AmericanBarro Alto. Credit: Anglo AmericanAudits

Auditoria de vigilância no local em Barro Alto, em junho deste ano

Da ERM CVS, auditor independente aprovado pela IRMA:

A ERM CVS realizará a avaliação IRMA na mina de Barro Alto Anglo American

A ERM CVS busca receber contribuições da comunidade local e de outras partes interessadas

Hoje, 9 de maio de 2025, a ERM CVS anuncia que de 9 a 13 de junho de 2025 visitará as operações de mineração de níquel da Anglo American Barro Alto, no município de Barro Alto, Goiás, Brasil, para conduzir uma avaliação de vigilância independente e terceirizada da operação, por meio da Iniciativa para Garantia de Mineração Responsável – IRMA (da sigla em inglês). O relatório de auditoria inicial das operações de Barro Alto da Anglo American foi divulgado em 7 de fevereiro de 2024, com um nível de realização IRMA 75. O relatório está disponível no site do IRMA.

A auditoria de vigilância no local verificará se as operações da mina continuam alinhadas com o desempenho previamente reconhecido. A equipe de auditoria verificará se os sistemas e controles da mina ainda estão em vigor e funcionando de forma eficaz, se não ocorreram mudanças significativas que afetem negativamente o desempenho da mina e se a mina está progredindo em seu plano de ações corretivas. A auditoria também incluirá entrevistas confidenciais com trabalhadores e engajamento com partes interessadas da comunidade. Após a conclusão da auditoria de vigilância, um relatório será publicado no site da IRMA.

O relatório resumido da auditoria de vigilância fornecerá à Barro Alto e às partes interessadas informações sobre a continuidade das operações, mudanças significativas e evidências de melhoria contínua.

9 a 13 de junho 2025

Seus comentários ajudarão a ERM CVS a avaliar o impacto de Barro Alto nas
comunidades locais e a medir seu desempenho em relação às melhores práticas de mineração. A ERM CVS convida você a se inscrever para uma entrevista com os auditores durante a auditoria de vigilância e/ou a enviar comentários por escrito sobre as operações de Barro Alto da Anglo American usando os dados de contato abaixo. Você deve entrar em contato conosco antes de 2 de junho de 2025 para ser entrevistado. Comentários por escrito enviados antes de 13 de junho de 2025 serão incorporados aos resultados desta auditoria.

Na web:

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

Email: post@ermcvs.com 

Telefone: +55 11 4933 3280

QR code para acessar o formulário online:

ERMCVS Español feedback form QR code

As entrevistas com membros da comunidade ocorrem sem a presença do pessoal da mina. As entrevistas com trabalhadores não pertencentes à gerência ocorrem sem a presença da gerência e podem ser agendadas para ocorrer fora do local de trabalho, mediante solicitação. A ERM CVS protege a identidade de cada
entrevistado, embora a natureza geral dos comentários seja resumida no relatório.

A ERM CVS é uma empresa de auditoria independente, aprovada e capacitada pela IRMA. Para saber mais sobre a ERM CVS, visite ermcvs.com.

A missão da IRMA é proteger o meio ambiente e as pessoas diretamente afetadas pela mineração. Para saber mais sobre a IRMA,
incluindo o processo de avaliação, o Padrão IRMA e para ver relatórios de auditoria de outras minas, visite www.responsiblemining.net

Para mais informações sobre o ciclo de auditoria da IRMA, visite https://responsiblemining.net/what-we-do/assessment/independent-assessment-timeline. Se você tiver dúvidas ou reclamações sobre o processo de avaliação da mina
por parte da IRMA ou sobre o Padrão IRMA, visite https://responsiblemining.net/complaints.

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

Onsite Surveillance Audit at Barro Alto this June

From IRMA approved independent auditor ERM CVS:

ERM CVS to Conduct On-site IRMA Assessment of Anglo American’s Barro Alto

ERM CVS Seeks Input from Local Community and Other Stakeholders

9 May 2025, ERM CVS announced that on 9 – 13 June 2025 it will visit the Anglo American Barro Alto nickel mining operations in the Barro Alto municipality, Goiás, Brazil to conduct an independent,  third-party Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) surveillance assessment of the operation.

The initial audit report of Anglo American Barro Alto’s operations was released on 7 February 2024 with an achievement level of IRMA 75. The report is available 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.

9 June – 13 June 2025

Your comments will help ERM CVS assess the impact of Barro Alto 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 Barro Alto using the contact details below. You must contact us before 2 June 2025 to be interviewed. Written comments submitted before 13 June 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: +55 11 4933 3280

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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Credit: Creazilla, published under Creazilla Open LicenseCredit: Creazilla, published under Creazilla Open LicenseBlog

How IRMA Benefits Affected Communities

A new resource for mining affected communities is now available.

Thumbnail of How IRMA Benefits Affected CommunitiesMining-affected communities are the often-forgotten voice among mining stakeholders. But their voice is essential in creating a responsible mining future in the face of increased demand for more mined materials. The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) offers a solution to that problem. IRMA was founded on the belief that every individual impacted by mining should have a say in how responsible mining is defined and measured. By convening experts, advocates, and industry leaders across six key sectors, we have developed an independent, best-practice standard for responsible mining, as well as a transparent process for assessing mine performance against that standard.

Learn how IRMA Benefits Affected Communities Mining Affected Communities

 

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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

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:

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

Correo: post@ermcvs.com

Telefono: +51 1708 0164

Código QR para ingreso al formato

 

ERMCVS Español feedback form 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

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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Image by Vectorportal.com, CC BYImage by Vectorportal.com, CC BYGovernment

How IRMA Benefits Governments and Policymakers

The Case for IRMA_Governments and Policymakers thumbnailA new resource for the governments and policymakers is now available.

The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) seeks to be a collaborative partner with governments. Government actors, from intergovernmental bodies to tribal governments and national and subnational government bodies, are key partners in accomplishing IRMA’s mission and vision for responsible mining. IRMA complements, but can never replace, the important role of governments to create and implement robust laws and regulations.

Governments, policymakers, and advocates use the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining, based on over a decade of global multi-stakeholder dialogue, as a benchmark for internationally recognized best practices and the IRMA system as an avenue to provide market recognition for responsible actors. Governments and policymakers increasingly work with IRMA to incentivize responsible supply chains and enhance trade competitiveness.

Learn more by reading How IRMA Benefits Governments and Policymakers.

 

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