RMI Report 2022 reveals little ESG action at mine sites

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In its latest assessment of 40 companies and 250 mine sites, the Responsible Mining Foundation highlights a striking disconnect between corporate commitments and mine site action on critically important ESG issues. Commitments are now commonplace, yet basic actions at mine sites – to inform and engage with communities and workers on for example safety issues or environmental impacts – are rarely evident. Some 94% of the mine sites score an average of less than 20% on the fifteen basic ESG issues assessed. It is at mine sites where the risk of harm is greatest and companies can certainly be expected to show respect for those most exposed to these risks. And without evidence that corporate commitments and protocols are being implemented at mine-site level, the credibility of these HQ measures will be limited.

At a time when many companies are announcing record profits and ambitious plans on technical issues such as emissions reductions or efficiency gains, there is an urgent need for a similar level of effort and leadership to ensure responsible practices across companies’ operations.