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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.

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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.

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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

24 October 2025By

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

Audit of Sibanye-Stillwater US PGM operation postponed

10 October 2025By

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

10 October 2025By

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

9 October 2025By

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).

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Gerdau logoGerdau logoAudits

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

9 October 2025By

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).

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Sishen Mine. Credit: Anglo American KumbaSishen Mine. Credit: Anglo American KumbaAudits

On-site Surveillance Audit at Sishen in October

26 September 2025By

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

26 September 2025By

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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IRMA and CCCMC panelIRMA and CCCMC panelAsia

MOU with CCCMC

24 September 2025By

Today IRMA entered a new collaboration to advance more responsible mining.

At the International Forum on Sustainable Mineral Supply Chains in Xiamen, IRMA and the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration on responsible mineral production.

Through this agreement, IRMA and CCCMC will work together to:
✅ Align standards and reduce duplication across assurance models
✅ Pilot co-audits to streamline expectations
✅ Provide joint training and capacity-building at mine sites
✅ Exchange lessons on system-wide grievance mechanisms
✅ Maintain ongoing dialogue to respond to global trends and stakeholder needs

This marks an important step in promoting transparency, accountability, and positive outcomes across the minerals value chain.

Chinese IRMA Draft 2.0 Standard coverAs we look forward to deepening this collaboration in support of companies, stakeholders, and communities worldwide, we are thrilled to release a Chinese version of the IRMA Standard v2.0 Draft 2 for public consultation. Please submit your comments!

Our goal is to make responsible mining standards accessible to all stakeholders, everywhere. The translation was made possible thanks to the fantastic work of Landscape Consulting.

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