The SME Guide to ESG Resources

The SME Environmental, Social and Governance Toolkit is a resource for the mining industry. The Toolkit is composed of information, links and downloadable documents covering the many aspects of ESG in the mining industry.

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Governance
Governance

Practical AI Cases for Solving ESG Challenges

This review article presents practical artificial intelligence (AI) applications to ESG challenges related to engineering applications that could benefit the mining industry practitioners. Case studies include carbon neutrality, satellite data and machine learning based land management, and ESG scoring. Discussion of challenges related to AI applications are also discussed.

Authors: Evgeny Burnaev, Evgeny Mironov, Aleksei Shpilman, Maxim Mironenko and Dmitry Katalevsky
Publisher: Sustainability, Volume 15, Issue 17 (August 2023)
Governance

Environmental, Social and Governance Considerations in Public Mineral Reporting

The authors assert that it is critical for companies to address ESG risks in mineral resource and reserve reporting. They discuss challenges, suggest improvements, and emphasize the importance of ESG in "diligent and transparent disclosure."

Authors: Tim Rowland, Jane Joughlin, Fiona Cessford, Vaughan Chamberlain, Taryn Flitton, Heath Arvidson and Nic Pollock
Publisher: K2Fly.com
Governance

How ESG Impacts the Engineering & Construction Industry

A discussion of the importance of ESG to engineering and construction companies and the industry. Discusses the key components of an ESG program that investors or potential investors will evaluate. Provides reasons why ESG programming should be viewed as an investment - not a cost center - that can add to corporate value.

Authors: Craig Adoor and Lynn Ryan
Publisher: constructionbusinessowner.com
Governance

ESG and Critical Minerals Development - Part 5: The Challenge of Disclosure

The author describes receiving only one response after reaching out to over 100 ASX-listed critical minerals companies with general queries about their ESG programs and progress. He muses that the lack of response may be Aussie "tall poppy syndrome" and advises about the necessity of climate transition plans including that they be time-bound and disclosed.

Authors: Steve Mackowski, an ESG systems developer and auditor
Publisher: Intel Investor (Editor Steve Mackowski)
Governance

The ESG Era Is Here

This article discusses the importance of ESG, ESG Strategy and ESG Criteria to investors, and provides 6 steps for companies to get started.

Authors: Cal Beyer, Jason McMurray and Michelle Weil
Publisher: constructionbusinessowner.com
Governance

ISO 37000 Governance of Organizations

ISO 37000 gives guidance on the governance of organizations. The linked source contains summmary, scope statement and overview of ISO 37000, including summaries for 11 mission critical topics covered by the guidance. Useful related links are provided, including links to an ISO 37000 Highlights PDF file, and a link to the ISO store where the guidance can be downloaded.

Authors: ISO Technical Committee 309
Publisher: ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, September 2021
Governance

ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems

Specifies requirements and provides guidance for use for establishing, developing, implementing, evaluating, maintaining and improving an effective and responsive compliance management system within an organization. The requirements are generic and are intended to be applicable to all organizations, regardless of type, size and nature of activity, and whether in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors. The standard is based on the principles of good governance, proportionality, transparency and sustainability.

Authors: ISO Technical Committee 309
Publisher: ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, April 2021
Governance

ISO 37001 Anti-bribery Management Systems

ISO 37001 reflects international good practice in anti-bribery, can be used in all jurisdictions and is applicable to small, medium and large organizations in all sectors, including public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Authors: ISO Technical Committee 309
Publisher: ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, 2016
Governance

ISO 37002 Whistleblowing Management Systems

ISO 37002 Whistleblowing is the act of reporting suspected wrongdoing or risk of wrongdoing. Effective whistleblowing programs protect organizations globally from the financial and reputational damage that these risks could cause if gone undetected. Based on the principles of Trust, Impartiality and Protection, this standard will help organizations of any size or type, whether in the public, private or not-for-profit sector:

identify and address wrongdoing at the earliest opportunity; increase return on assets; ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and legal and social obligations; attract and retain personnel committed to the organization's values and culture; demonstrate sound, ethical governance practices to society, markets, regulators, owners and other interested parties.

Authors: ISO Technical Committee 309
Publisher: ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, July 2021
Governance

Improving board assurance of technical and operational risks in mining

Identifies gaps in traditional risk management and audit functions with respect to the STEM aspects of mining. Traditional audit and risk management professionals need to work alongside STEM professionals in mining to develop new ways to provide transparency, accountability and assurance to mining company boards. Discusses implications for successful ESG.

Authors: AC Atkins, M Ritchie
Publisher: Mining Geomechanical Risk 2019 – J Wesseloo (ed.), © 2019 Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, ISBN 978-0-9876389-1-5
Governance

Embedding ESG and Sustainability Considerations into The Three Lines Model

Voluntary guidance for corporate boards, C-suite representatives and senior management. Offers practical suggestions and examples for integrating sustainability considerations into the key roles and responsibilities within the IIA's Three Lines Model.

Authors: The Institute of Internal Auditors and The World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Publisher: The Institute of Internal Auditors and The World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Governance

Managing Environmental, Social and Government[sic] (ESG) Risk in the Mining Industry: The Emerging Relevance of ESG Risk and the Dangers of Getting it Wrong

Essay on ESG risk management awarded Honorable Mention for the 2014 Cambridge McKinsey Risk Prize, presented at the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies 5th Risk Summit.

Authors: Trevor Bruce, Cambridge Judge Business School MBA Candidate
Publisher: Cambridge Judge Business School website
Governance

Indigenous Rights in South America – FPIC and Other Key Issues for Natural Resource Development

The book is authored by leading mining and oil and gas practitioners in nine South American countries and Canada, and includes key aspects of indigenous rights legislation from the perspective of extractive industries.

Authors: Sonoda, Juan (ed)
Publisher: Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, 2016.
Governance

The ESG bar has just been raised… Who will get over it?

A significant raising of the ESG bar has occurred through the raising of performance standards by the mining industry, and the requirement for independent and transparent validation requirements at mine sites.

Authors: Pennini, Aldo
Publisher: Mining Journal (March 20, 2020)
Governance

ESG Industry Report Card: Metals and Mining

In its ESG report card, S&P concluded that: "Environmental risks for metals and mining companies are among the highest across all sectors . . . main social tensions arise from fears of pollution, water usage conflicts, and economic/landscape impacts on nearby communities . . . and governance of high-rated companies tend to be the best, especially for those located in jurisdictions with long histories in mining."

Authors: S&P Global Ratings
Publisher: S&P Global Ratings (June 3, 2019)
Governance

The ESG Journey: Lessons from the Boardroom and C-Suite

The Board Leadership Center interviewed directors of major corporations. The interviews showed that ESG is important to investors and stakeholders, and a focus on ESG requires significant effort, especially as there is no one model to follow.

Authors: KPMG
Publisher: KPMG
Governance

ESG Standards Convergence Could Happen in Next 12 to 24 Months, Accounting Body Chief Says

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Members (SASB) are reporting that companies are being pushed to report on how they are working to achieve the UN Sustainable Development goals that were established in 2015 to provide a common set of economic, social, and environmental outcomes that member countries can work together to achieve by 2030. Convergence is expected on this over the next 12-24 months according to the SASB Board.

Authors: Norton, Leslie B.
Publisher: Barrons
Governance

The life of a mining project: effective diagnosis of a social license to operate

The author provides a summary of traditional sustainability concepts (social sustainability, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility), summarizes the new sustainability concepts promoted by the authors in Mining and Sustainable Development: Current Issues, then suggests that the optimal outcome of sustainability – whether through the application of the traditional sustainability concepts or the new sustainability concepts – is to earn an SLO. In order to maximize the likelihood of obtaining an SLO, mining companies need to hire an independent third party to conduct an effective SLO diagnosis – the particulars of which are summarized in the remainder of the chapter.

Authors: Ventura, Jordi G.
Publisher: Minerals and Mining: A Practical Guide to the Life Cycle of a Mining Project, at pp. 115-133, published by Globe Law and Business Ltd. (London 2018)
Governance

ESG: From Tipping Point to Turning Point

With crisis sparking a collective demand for change, it's time for ESG investing to move from a check-the-box component of investment portfolios to a must-have for all portfolios.

Authors: State Street Global Advisors
Publisher: State Street Global Advisors
Governance

The 'G' in ESG: Three critical issues for extractives companies

"Governance" is the most important component of ESG. If extractive companies do not improve their governance, they may find that their overall ESG performance does not meet investor and society expectations. Three key governance challenges are discussed.

Authors: Critical Resource, An ERM Group Company
Publisher: Critical Resource, An ERM Group Company; February, 2020.

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