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First nickel, iron mines to complete IRMA audits, both Barro Alto and Minas-Rio achieve IRMA 75
SEATTLE, Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 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 and comprehensive procedure to assess the mine’s functionality as opposed to a similarly governed, consensus-based popular system, and to measure its next progress in reducing social and environmental harm. IRMA’s rigorous procedure invites all those recently affected or potentially affected by a mine. Share your reports and insights with the audit team.
The independent IRMA formula is the only global mining that gives equivalent strength to the public sector (indigenous communities and rights holders, mining workers, and environmental and human rights defenders) alongside the personal sector (mining companies, buyers of mining materials and investors). .
Barro Alto and Minas-Rio are enrolled in 17 other industrial-scale mines around the world that are independently assessed against the IRMA standard. After an initial self-assessment, a committed mine hires an external audit firm, trained and approved through IRMA: to conduct a detailed independent assessment, adding on-site visits to the mine and nearby communities.
IRMA 75 means that auditing firms ERM-CVS (Barro Alto) and SCS Global (Minas-Rio) have verified that operations meet all critical needs of the IRMA standard, as well as at least 75% of the standard’s criteria in each of the 4 areas: social responsibility, environmental responsibility, business integrity, and positive legacy planning. Full audit reports can be found on the Barro Alto and Minas-Rio audit pages on the IRMA website.
“Stakeholders want to know what’s going well and what deserves more attention. “
“This report demonstrates that mines sourcing materials critical to the transition to renewable energy and the metals supply chain can now rely on transparent and independent testing of their environmental and social performance,” said Aimée Boulanger, executive director of IRMA. “With IRMA’s detailed audit reports, mining corporations, communities, and corporations acquiring mined tissues can get the data they want about what’s going well – and what would possibly require more attention – in fast mines. “
As the popular IRMA is identified and followed around the world, those audits are just the first steps in an in-depth discussion between mining corporations and those affected by their operations. And since the procedure is still evolving, IRMA cautions that early effects are needed. be reviewed and interpreted accordingly.
“These mines started conducting audits at the beginning of the Covid years. The schedule was delayed due to issues and then the company’s resolve to use the optional corrective action era to make improvements. The public has long awaited the opportunity to see the data contained in this document and we congratulate Anglo American for providing an audit of the first iron and nickel mines using such comprehensive criteria. Ms. Boulanger added, “That said, the popular IRMA is relatively new for corporations volunteering to be audited, and even our accredited auditors are still learning. The same goes for network members and staff interviewed in the process, some of whom are not yet comfortable participating. Therefore, Barro Alto and Minas-Rio audit reports will 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 effects do not fully reflect the reports of communities, indigenous rights holders or other affected groups, we need to listen to them,” said Ms. Boulanger. “We will help them talk to the company to better understand their performance, as well as to the auditors about any issues they may have overlooked during the review. It is a cornerstone of our own commitment to transparency. We invite anyone who has complaints about our paint to join us in improving it. Finding tactics to improve is built into our formula and is a measure of your 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.
“Participating in an IRMA audit reflects our preference and our openness to dialogue. “
Ana Sanches, Managing Director of Anglo American in Brazil, said: “Anglo American’s award of IRMA 75 is the first for a nickel and iron ore mine and is a testament to the tough performance of our groups at Barro Alto and Minas-Rio. IRMA audits for our operations serve as popularity and evidence of our commitment to the most productive practices, transparency, and high-level assurance, while also offering independently verified next steps for additional feedback. This transparent cycle of positive feedback ensures that we continue our sustainability practices. , leads to better tactics for doing business and creates higher prices for employees, governments, NGOs, customers, and communities.
Learn more at the Feb 8th Webinar Q&A
REGISTER: http://tinyurl. com/IRMAwebinar-BA-MR
Thursday, February 8, a. m. BRT (Brazil time)
Speakers: Aimée Boulanger, Executive Director of IRMA, Adan Olivares Castro, Regional Head of IRMA for the Americas, Michelle Smith, Director of Insurance at IRMA, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Anglo American – Brazil Ivan Simões
A discussion and Q&A about the meaning of the audit results, and how the increased transparency an IRMA audit provides can be used by stakeholders to improve the operation.
The webinar will be interpreted for Portuguese and English speakers. All registrants will get a registration.
For more information:
Alan Septoff, 1. 301. 202. 1445, aseptoff@responsiblemining. net
Barro Alto Audit packet: https://responsiblemining.net/barroalto-auditpacket-en (portuguese)
Mining Riot Audit File: https://responsiblemining. net/minasrio-auditpacket-en (Portuguese)
Barro Alto IRMA Audit Page: https://responsiblemining. net/barroalto
Minas-Rio IRMA audit page: https://responsiblemining.net/minasrio