Barro Alto

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

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

21 May 2025By

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

21 May 2025By

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

Audits released for Anglo’s Barro Alto, Minas-Rio

7 February 2024By

Anglo American’s Barro Alto, Minas-Rio operations in Brazil audited against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining

First nickel, iron mines to complete IRMA audits, both Barro Alto and Minas-Rio achieve IRMA 75

UPDATE 14 Feb: Webinar recording in English and Português added.

IRMA 75 achievement badge

07 Feb 2024 – Today the Initiative for Responsible Mining (IRMA) released the results of independent audits of Anglo American’s Barro Alto nickel and Minas-Rio iron ore operations against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. The mines achieved IRMA 75 when two independent audit firms measured their performance on concrete social and environmental impact criteria.

IRMA oversees the only independent, comprehensive process for assessing individual mines’ performance against an equally governed, consensus-based standard — and for measuring their subsequent progress in reducing social and environmental harm. The rigorous IRMA process invites all those currently or potentially affected by a mine to share their experiences and perspectives with the auditing team.

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).

Barro Alto and Minas-Rio join 17 other industrial-scale mines worldwide that are independently assessing against the IRMA Standard. After an initial self-assessment, a participating mine engages a third-party audit firm — trained and approved by IRMA — to conduct a detailed independent evaluation, including on-site visits to the mine and nearby communities.

IRMA 75 means the audit firms ERM-CVS (Barro Alto) and SCS Global (Minas-Rio) verified that the operations met all critical requirements of the IRMA Standard, as well as at least 75% of the Standard’s criteria in each of the four areas: social responsibility, environmental responsibility, business integrity and planning for positive legacies. The full audit reports are available in Results tab of the Barro Alto and Minas-Rio audit pages on the IRMA website.

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

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

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

“These mines began audits during the early Covid years. The timeline was delayed by travel challenges, and then the company’s decision to use the optional corrective action period to make improvements. The public has long awaited opportunity to review the information included here, and we applaud Anglo American for volunteering the first iron and nickel mines for audit against such comprehensive criteria.” Ms. Boulanger went on to say, “That said, the IRMA Standard is relatively new for companies that volunteer to be audited, and even our accredited auditors are still learning. The same is true for community members and workers who are interviewed as part of the process, some of whom may not yet feel comfortable engaging. So the Barro Alto and Minas-Rio audit reports need to be read with this in mind.”

The report also provides an honest accounting of IRMA’s own progress as the Standard and assessment process continue to mature.

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

The IRMA Standard is being updated in 2024; input on how to improve the IRMA Standard is welcomed. Chapters in the IRMA Standard include requirements on protection to human rights, water resources, worker health and safety, biodiversity, Indigenous free, prior, informed consent and more.

“Committing to an IRMA audit reflects our desire to improve and our openness to dialogue”

Ana Sanches, CEO of Anglo American in Brazil, said: “Anglo American’s achievement of IRMA 75 is a first for a nickel and an iron ore mine and is a testament to the hard work of our teams at Barro Alto and Minas-Rio. Participating in IRMA audits for our operations serve as recognition and proof of our commitment to high standard best practice, transparency and assurance, while it also provides independently verified next steps for further improvement. This transparent positive-feedback loop ensures we continue to improve our sustainability practices, leads to better ways to do business and creates greater value for employees, governments, NGOs, customers and communities alike.

Feb 8th Webinar Q&A – slides

Português – Webinar IRMA sobre relatórios de auditoria de Barro Alto/Minas-Rio

English – IRMA webinar re Barro Alto/Minas-Rio audit reports

 For More Information:

 

 

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Audits

IRMA Announcement: On-site audits scheduled at five mines

3 November 2021By
The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) annouces that auditors will be carrying out on-site audits at five mines, starting in late November.  The mine sites, and on-site audit dates, are as follows:
  • Amandelbult, near Chromite, in Limpopo province, South Africa. On-site audit dates: 29 November – December 4.
  • Barro Alto, near Barro Alto, in the State of Goiás, Brazil. On-site audit dates: 29 November – December 3. (View the audit announcement in Portuguese)
  • Kolomela, near Postmasburg, in Northern Cape province, South Africa. On-site audit dates:  6 December – December 11.
  • Mototolo-Der Brochen, near Steelpoort, in Limpopo province, South Africa. On-site audit dates:  6 December – December 11.
  • Sishen, near Kathu, in Northern Cape province, South Africa. On-site audit dates: 29 November – December 4.
ERM Certification and Verification Services (ERM-CVS), an IRMA-approved certification body, will be carrying out the on-site assessments at these sites. Stakeholder Engagement in these Assessments Stakeholders should contact ERM-CVS if they are interested in being interviewed as part of the assessment process. According to ERM-CVS, “When possible, interviews with local stakeholders will be scheduled to take place during the on-site audit and may be virtual or in-person, taking into consideration COVID-19 precautions.” (See audit announcements on ERM-CVS website) Stakeholders for any of the listed sites are also invited to submit comments to ERM-CVS on the social and environmental performance of any of the mines (in particular, how the site measures against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining).
ERM Certification and Verification Services Email: post@ermcvs.com Mail: Exchequer Court, 33 St Mary Axe, London, EC3A 8A
Please forward this announcement, and feel free to contact ERM-CVS directly to provide names and contact information for other mine site stakeholders who may be interested in knowing about and participating in the mine site assessment process. For More Information
  • Direct specific inquiries about the mine site assessment process to IRMA’s Director of Standards and Assurance: lsumi@responsiblemining.net
  • Visit the IRMA website for information on the IRMA mine site assessment and certification process, including the determination of audit scope.
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Audits

IRMA Announcement: Barro Alto Mine Site Assessment Stage 1

5 June 2020By

The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) announces the commencement of a third-party independent assessment of the Barro Alto nickel mine against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining. The Barro Alto mine, located in Brazil, is operated by Anglo American Brasil. For more information on Barro Alto mine check out their profile on the IRMA Engagement Map.

ERM Certification and Verification Services (ERM-CVS), an IRMA-approved certification body, will be carrying out the assessment, which includes a desk review (stage 1) followed by an on-site audit (stage 2).

Stakeholder Engagement in the Assessment

Interested stakeholders and members of the public can visit the Mines Under Assessment page of IRMA’s website to view up-to-date information on the Barro Alto assessment (e.g., the timing of the stage 2 on-site visit, link to pubic summary of audit results).

Mine site stakeholders are invited to submit comments to ERM-CVS on the social and environmental performance of the Barro Alto mine (in particular, how the mine measures against the IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining).

Barro Alto mine stakeholders may also contact ERM-CVS if they are interested in being interviewed as part of the assessment process.

Stakeholder comments and expressions of interest in being interviewed as part of the audit process should be submitted by email or mail to:

ERM Certification and Verification Services

Email: post@ermcvs.com

Mail: Exchequer Court, 33 St Mary Axe, London, EC3A 8A

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

For more information on the Barro Alto Mine Site Assessment, contact IRMA’s Director of Standards and Assurance: lsumi@responsiblemining.net

For general information on the IRMA mine site assessment and certification process, visit the IRMA website.

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