Australian mining companies have reported solid progress on implementation of the TSM framework in the first <a href="https://tsmining.com.au/inaugural-progress-report">Progress Report</a>.
The Progress Report is another positive step for the Australian minerals sector in communicating sustainability performance and identifying areas with the greatest potential for improvement.
It shows that the adoption of an independently verified sustainability reporting system supports the sector’s commitment to continual improvement in safety and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Across 12 MCA member companies, two-thirds of 35 facilities met the TSM good practice benchmark for the following protocols: 
• Safe, Healthy and Respectful Workplaces 
• Indigenous and Community Relationships 
• Biodiversity Conservation Management 
• Water Stewardship 
• Preventing Child and Forced Labour.
Protocols with the greatest potential improvement identified by the reporting included: 
• Crisis Management and Communications Planning 
• Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces 
• Climate Change
The success of Australia’s minerals industry, both now and in the future, depends upon its ability to operate in line with community expectations on ESG performance.
TSM provides a consistent approach to assess and communicate facility sustainability performance in a transparent and accountable way so companies can further enhance trust and confidence by local communities, government, investors, companies and customers.

Inaugural Progress Report

<h3>What&#8217;s new in Sustainable Mining</h3>
The Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Initiative newsletter highlights program updates, relevant events, and details on how mining companies are using the standard to manage key environmental and social responsibilities.
<h3>Contents</h3>
TSM Launches New Standard on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) 
TSM Outreach in Latin America 
TSM Featured at Norway’s Mineral Industry Days 
TSM Presents to the Consular Corps Association of Toronto 
Canada’s TSM Awards of Excellence Winners 
Mineros Taking Steps Towards TSM Implementation in Colombia 
TSM Training in Guatemala 
TSM Performance Results
Read the newsletter <a href="https://mailchi.mp/a80a49f07649/tsm-newsletter-volume-5">here</a>.

TSM Newsletter Volume 5

The “Towards” in TSM is intentional, referencing the constant progression that drives the improvements in the standard’s expectations of mining companies in environmental stewardship and community engagement. Not only are TSM’s protocols consistently updated to reach ever higher benchmarks but new elements are also added to the standard when rights holders, stakeholders, the public, customers and investors voice their interest in seeing data on how mines are performing in specific areas. This is particularly true most recently in the area of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
To meet the increased global demand for minerals and metals, the mining industry needs a highly skilled and diverse workforce, an area the mining sector, which continues to be predominantly white and male dominated, has historically struggled with. While there is clear potential for a more respectful, equitable, diverse and inclusive mining workforce, many companies are looking for guidance in order to best achieve this objective. The homogenous nature of the mining industry, particularly in the face of labour market shortages, must change.
In recognition of this fact, TSM is developing brand new requirements on EDI, expected to be published later in 2023, that will ensure that TSM remains the leading industry standard when it comes to environmental stewardship, community engagement and inclusive practices.

TSM: A Constantly Evolving Standard

The world needs the mining sector for materials we depend on and it is integral that globally recognized standards like <a href="http://www.tsminitiative.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Towards Sustainable Mining</a> (TSM) be in place to ensure that the process of mining is being managed responsibly, from start to finish.
TSM, a made-in-Canada standard first developed by the <a href="http://www.mining.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mining Association of Canada</a> (MAC), was originally created in 2004 to drive performance improvement across a range of social and environmental issues where it mattered most — at the mine site level. The program has fostered a significant cultural shift across the sector, making it more inclusive and transparent. This focus on mine site performance makes TSM a go-to system for investors and manufacturers looking to invest in and purchase responsibly mined materials. TSM was the first mining sustainability standard in the world to require site-level assessments. Through TSM, eight critical aspects of social and environmental performance are evaluated, independently validated, and publicly reported against 30 distinct performance indicators.
TSM goes beyond principles and requires mining companies to annually assess, publicly report and verify their performance at the facility level. Performance is evaluated across a set of detailed environmental and social performance standards, including tailings management, climate change, water stewardship, Indigenous and community relationships, safety and health, biodiversity conservation, crisis management and preventing child and forced labour.
External oversight is an important component of TSM and the standard is overseen by a national independent <a href="https://mining.ca/towards-sustainable-mining/how-tsm-works/community-of-interest-advisory-panel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Community of Interest Advisory Panel</a>, comprised of representatives from Indigenous communities, environmental organizations, labour representatives, finance, local mining communities, social and faith-based organizations and academia.
The public, investors, customers and stakeholders are more focused on sustainable practices in the mining industry than ever before, and TSM brings confidence that the minerals and metals essential for the items we use every day are being mined responsibly. In fact, <a href="https://mining.ca/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2022/06/Abacus-MAC-Polling-Results-June-2022-EN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent polling</a> has found that upon learning about Canada’s leadership in sustainable mining via TSM, 88% believe it is a good idea for government to support Canadian companies that adhere to such standards in their efforts to win in export markets and to attract investment to Canada.
See the full <a href="https://mailchi.mp/mining/industrie-miniere-canadienne-pratiques-esg-et-mobilisation-des-autochtones-6040491">newsletter</a>.

The Canadian Mining Story – Towards Sustainable Mining: Driving ESG in Mining

<h3>What&#8217;s new in Sustainable Mining</h3>
The Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) quarterly newsletter highlights program updates, relevant events and details on how mining companies are utilising the standard to manage key environmental and social responsibilities
<h3>Contents</h3>
<ul>
<li>TSM Welcomes Two New Partners in Latin America</li>
<li>TSM Results</li>
<li>TSM International Partners Summit</li>
<li>Panel Presentations Focused on Sustainable Mining and EDI at PDAC Convention</li>
<li>TSM Implementation in Colombia Underway: 19 Companies on the Path to Sustainability</li>
<li>TSM Outreach in Africa</li>
<li>TSM Verifier Training</li>
</ul>
Read the newsletter <a href="https://mailchi.mp/3604ad90997c/tsm-newsletter-volume-4">here</a>.

TSM – Newsletter Volume 4

Cámara Minera de Panamá (CAMIPA), Panama’s national mining chamber, has announced its adoption of Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM), a made-in-Canada corporate social responsibility performance system that improves environmental and social practices in the mining sector.
As a result, CAMIPA and its affiliated companies will adopt a set of indicators that will allow them to measure and publicly report on the most integral aspects of its mining industry, including those focused on environmental stewardship and effective community engagement.
“This is an important occasion, we are proud to become part of this initiative that has proven to be essential for the mining sector to enhance its contribution to the sustainable development of the regions where it operates,” said Roberto Cuevas, President of CAMIPA. “In order to improve this contribution to sustainable development, the mining sector must assume and promote the best practices and standards in its relationship with the country and territories, communities, the environment, the productive system and the State.”
CAMIPA joins 12 other mining associations around the world, the sixth in Latin America together with Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala and Argentina, in adopting the TSM standard. Panama’s mining chamber will tailor TSM’s performance areas to reflect the unique aspects of its mining industry and commits to implementation in the next five years.
TSM is a globally recognized sustainability program that supports mining companies in managing key environmental and social responsibilities. TSM was the first mining sustainability standard in the world to require site-level assessments and is mandatory for all companies that are members of implementing associations. Through TSM, eight critical aspects of social and environmental performance are evaluated, independently validated, and publicly reported against 30 distinct performance indicators.
“The mining industry’s role in providing the minerals and metals essential to the technologies we use every day cannot be overstated and it is critical that these materials be responsibly sourced, with environmental stewardship and community engagement at the forefront,” said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada, TSM’s founding member. “The TSM standard will enhance sustainable performance for Panama’s mining sector and we are extremely pleased to welcome CAMIPA as our newest TSM partner.”
Performance in TSM is evaluated across a set of detailed environmental and social performance standards, including climate change, tailings management, water stewardship, Indigenous and community relationships, safety and health, biodiversity conservation, crisis management and preventing child and forced labour. TSM helps drive performance improvement where it counts — at the site level — and contributes to securing support for mining activits from the communities where it operates.
To ensure TSM reflects the expectations of civil society and industry stakeholders, it was designed and continues to be shaped by an independent, multi-interest advisory panel. As part of its implementation, CAMIPA will implement a similar advisory body to provide this valuable oversight function.
Source: Mining Association of Canada https://mining.ca/resources/press-releases/panamas-mining-association-adopts-towards-sustainable-mining/

Panama’s Mining Association Adopts Towards Sustainable Mining

Cámara Minera de México (CAMIMEX), Mexico’s national mining chamber, has announced its adoption of Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM), a made-in-Canada corporate social responsibility performance system that improves environmental and social practices in the mining sector.
The official TSM signing, which took place at the Prospectors &amp; Developers Association of Canada’s annual convention, the world’s largest mining conference, will see CAMIMEX and its affiliated companies work to adopt a set of indicators that will allow them to measure and publicly report on the most integral aspects of its mining industry, including those focused on environmental stewardship and effective community engagement.
“Signing this collaboration with the Mining Association of Canada to share the TSM standard reflects the commitment of the mining sector affiliated with CAMIMEX to continue implementing the best international standards in environmental and social performance, as well as transparency and promoting communication channels with all stakeholders,” said Jaime Gutiérrez, President of CAMIMEX.
CAMIMEX joins 11 other mining associations around the world, the fifth in Latin America together with Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Argentina, in adopting the TSM standard. Mexico’s mining chamber will tailor TSM’s performance areas to reflect the unique aspects of its mining industry.
TSM is a globally recognized sustainability program that supports mining companies in managing key environmental and social responsibilities. TSM was the first mining sustainability standard in the world to require site-level assessments. Through TSM, eight critical aspects of social and environmental performance are evaluated, independently validated, and publicly reported against 30 distinct performance indicators.
“The world needs minerals and metals for the technologies we depend on and it is integral that globally recognized standards like TSM be in place to ensure that the process of mining is being managed responsibly, from start to finish,” said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada, TSM’s founding member. “Today, CAMIMEX, whose members are significant employers and contributors to the economy, is committing to a greater emphasis on sustainable practices and we are very proud to welcome them as our newest TSM partner.”
Performance in TSM is evaluated across a set of detailed environmental and social performance standards, including climate change, tailings management, water stewardship, Indigenous and community relationships, safety and health, biodiversity conservation, crisis management and preventing child and forced labour. TSM helps drive performance improvement where it counts — at the site level — and contributes to securing support for mining activities from the communities where it operates.
To ensure TSM reflects the expectations of civil society and industry stakeholders, it was designed and continues to be shaped by an independent, multi-interest advisory panel. As part of its implementation, CAMIMEX will implement a similar advisory body to provide this valuable oversight function.

Mexico’s Mining Chamber Adopts Towards Sustainable Mining

August 2022 – Draft TSM Inclusive and Respectful Workplaces Protocol
The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) is leading the development of a new standard on inclusive and respectful workplaces, as part of the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program. This draft protocol is being developed in collaboration with the Minerals Council of Australia and its members, with the support of other TSM partner associations. MAC has drawn upon the insights of its members, Community of Interest Advisory Panel, and many valued experts and practitioners.  Download the draft documents <a href="https://mining.ca/download/38449/">here</a>.
August 2022 – Draft Revisions to TSM Crisis Management and Communications Planning Protocol
The Mining Association of Canada is proposing minor revisions to the TSM Crisis Management and Communications Planning Protocol. Comments from any individuals or organizations with an interest in this protocol should be submitted to <a href="mailto:tsm@mining.ca">tsm@mining.ca</a>.  Download the draft document <a href="https://mining.ca/download/38465/">here</a>.
July 2021 – TSM Verification Policies
In July 2021, MAC published for public comment a <a href="https://mining.ca/download/8415/">suite of new and revised policies</a> related to its Towards Sustainable Mining program. MAC received responses from three individuals or organizations – all current TSM verifiers. In addition to minor clarifications and corrections on several draft policies, MAC received several substantive comments on the draft revisions to the Terms of Reference for Verifiers. MAC’s response to the comments received can be downloaded <a href="https://mining.ca/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2022/02/Response-to-Public-Comments.pdf">here</a>.
&nbsp;
Source: <a href="https://mining.ca/towards-sustainable-mining/how-tsm-works/opportunities-for-public-comment/">https://mining.ca/towards-sustainable-mining/how-tsm-works/opportunities-for-public-comment/</a>

Past Opportunities for Public Comment

The minerals industry deeply values its relationships with the diverse First Nations landholders, communities and organisations with which it partners.
Industry will strengthen these partnerships, respect local cultures, protect heritage and support the near and long-term social and economic aspirations, prosperity and wellbeing of First Nations communities.
In valuing these relationships, the industry recognises the importance of:
<ul>
<li>Respect for the cultures, knowledge, histories, rights and interests of the diverse First Nations landholders and communities with which it partners</li>
<li>Senior company and site leadership accountability for engagement, relationships and fulfilment of commitments to First Nations landholders and communities</li>
<li>Company and industry capability, systems and processes to ensure respectful, consistent and mutually-beneficial partnerships across the life of a project</li>
<li>Understanding the unique history and local cultural, social and economic context of each community and region and collaborating on locally-appropriate approaches</li>
<li>Supporting First Nations-led social, community and economic development initiatives and working to maximise economic participation through tailored employment, training and career advancement and supply and procurement opportunities</li>
<li>Ongoing dialogue and review processes supported by meaningful transparency</li>
<li>Equitable, stable and predictable native title and cultural heritage protection regimes</li>
<li>Robust cultural heritage protection processes co-developed and monitored with Traditional Owners, including arrangements for ongoing access to country.</li>
</ul>
First Nations landholders and communities are core partners in minerals development and integral to the social and economic contribution the industry makes to Australia. The minerals industry is a significant stakeholder in the economic development of Australia’s First Nations people through employment, training, supply and procurement, infrastructure and wealth creation.
Through the MCA, industry will work together to support strong relationships – including driving cultural change across the sector where necessary – through a multi-year work program.
The implementation of the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) environmental, social and governance performance system as an expectation of MCA membership is integral to this work program. TSM indicators relating to heritage protection, engagement and benefits-sharing will be adapted for Australia in collaboration with First Nations organisations.
Other actions include industry cultural heritage education; contributing to, advocating for and implementing policies that support First Nations-led economic development; and increasing senior industry leadership engagement with national Indigenous leaders.
The industry will also constructively contribute to modernisation of cultural heritage protection regimes and improvements to support a practical, stable and equitable native title system. Stable, predictable and practical frameworks enable responsible land-based development.
ends

Stronger mining partnerships with First Nations communities

The Global Resources Strategy announced by the Coalition Government today will support the Australian minerals industry as a reliable exporter to existing and emerging markets and a major contributor of critical minerals required for global transition to clean energy technologies.
Global supply chains are increasingly being disrupted by geopolitical shifts, decreasing supply chain security and rapidly increasing competition for manufacturing market share.
Australian mining companies already have a diverse supply of exports and have always actively looked for new markets for major commodities – such as iron ore, coal, and bauxite as well the minerals and metals vital for new technologies. This strategy will further assist this important ongoing task.
As the International Energy Agency noted yesterday, Australia is in an ideal position to respond to these disruptions as a reliable, safe, secure and viable provider of resources to the changing world.
Australian mining is a world leader on safety, environmental management, human rights, community partnerships, Indigenous economic development and tax transparency.
Facilitating trade and investment includes delivering awareness of Australian mining’s world-leading ESG credentials – such as the industry’s recent adoption of the Towards Sustainable Mining system for site-level reporting – and driving deals between Australian miners and potential industrial customers in a greater range of markets.
In a scenario that meets the Paris Agreement goals, clean energy technologies’ share of total demand rises significantly over the next two decades to over 40 per cent for copper and rare earth elements, 60-70 per cent for nickel and cobalt, and almost 90 per cent for lithium.
Australia is a major producer of many critical minerals such as lithium and zirconium concentrate and large producer of rare earth elements and is well placed to support global clean energy transitions as a reliable and responsible supplier of many minerals that are vital to clean energy technologies.
This is good news for regional Australia, with communities set to benefit from the jobs created to support the supply of these critical minerals to expanding export markets.
ends

Global Resources Strategy to support industry as a reliable exporter of critical minerals

The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has urged mining companies to uphold the values of a new environmental initiative introduced this month.
The towards sustainable mining (TSM) system aims to improve site-level safety, sustainability and environmental, social and governance performance.
TSM also emphasises a focus on how operations can include and support traditional landowners and their heritage, while maintaining social and economic goals.
MCA chief executive officer Tania Constable said TSM expected to provide the industry with an added level of transparency through regular reporting and by implementing a national community of interest advisory panel to independently oversee its progression.
“Australian mining is a global leader in sustainability performance, and it’s time to take another step forward to enhance community, investor and customer trust and confidence in the industry,” Constable said.
Previous sustainable development framework, enduring value, will only be enhanced by TSM through consistent and independently verified assessments on-site.
The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) developed TSM in 2004 and has reported positive results so far.
MAC chief executive officer Pierre Gratton expected Australia’s results to reflect Canada’s already proven track record.
“TSM has led to better outcomes for mining communities in Canada and around the world, and it’s great that Australia has chosen TSM as the vehicle to demonstrate environmental and social performance in its mining sector,” Gratton said.
“We are very proud of TSM’s increasingly global reach and power to improve sustainability through measuring site-level performance.”
TSM has already been adopted in Spain, Finland, Norway, Botswana, Argentina, Brazil and the Philippines, with an independent panel in each nation.
Source: <a href="https://www.australianmining.com.au/eco-mining-initiative-to-drive-sustainability-in-australia/">https://www.australianmining.com.au/eco-mining-initiative-to-drive-sustainability-in-australia/</a>

Eco-mining initiative to drive sustainability in Australia

Australia’s minerals industry will introduce the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) system to further improve site-level performance through regular and transparent reporting on safety, environmental and social indicators, including partnerships with First Nations landholders and communities.
Adopting TSM – developed by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and implemented worldwide among key mining nations – will support companies in demonstrating site-level safety, sustainability and environmental, social and governance performance through better measurement and accountability. TSM will also show how operations engage with Traditional Owners while supporting social and economic aspirations and heritage protection.
MCA CEO Tania Constable said the phased introduction of TSM as an expectation of MCA membership will give industry stakeholders, including First Nations partners, local communities and groups, investors and customers, additional assurance and visibility on the sector’s site-level sustainability performance across a range of important practical measures.
TSM builds on existing commitments to <a href="https://minerals.org.au/enduring-value-framework">Enduring Value </a>– the Australian minerals industry’s corporate-level sustainable development framework – by providing a consistent and independently verified approach to assess and communicate site level performance, supporting trust and enhancing confidence in the industry’s sustainability credentials.
‘Australian mining is a global leader in sustainability performance, and it’s time to take another step forward to enhance community, investor and customer trust and confidence in the industry,’ Ms Constable said.
MAC CEO Pierre Gratton said: ‘TSM has led to better outcomes for mining communities in Canada and around the world, and it’s great that Australia has chosen TSM as the vehicle to demonstrate environmental and social performance in its mining sector. We are very proud of TSM’s increasingly global reach and power to improve sustainability through measuring site-level performance.’
The system includes guiding principles and standardised protocols to be adapted for Australian implementation, including:
<ul>
<li>Communities and People: Indigenous and community relationships, safety and health, crisis management and communication planning, preventing child and forced labour</li>
<li>Environmental Stewardship: biodiversity conservation management, tailings management, water stewardship</li>
<li>Climate Change: site-level targets and management.</li>
</ul>
The program was established in 2004 by MAC to enable mining companies to demonstrate how they are meeting society’s needs for minerals, metals and energy products in the most socially, economically and environmentally responsible way, with its core strengths including:
<ul>
<li>Accountability: Participation in TSM will be an expectation for all MCA members for their Australian operations, with assessments conducted at the facility level where the mining activity takes place</li>
<li>Transparency: Members will publicly report their performance in line with standardised protocols and indicators</li>
<li>Credibility: TSM includes ongoing consultation with a national Community of Interest Advisory Panel, an independent multi-stakeholder group, to oversee and shape the program for continual advancement.</li>
</ul>
ends

Australian minerals sector takes accountability to new level

Ottawa, ON – Australia’s minerals industry will introduce the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) system to improve site-level performance through regular and transparent reporting on safety, environmental and social performance, including partnerships with First Nations landholders and communities.
Adopting TSM – developed by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and implemented worldwide among mining nations – will improve safety, sustainability and environmental, social and governance performance through better measurement and accountability. TSM will also show how operations engage with Traditional Owners while supporting social and economic aspirations and heritage protection.
MCA CEO Tania Constable said the phased introduction of TSM as an expectation of MCA membership will give industry stakeholders, including First Nations partners, local communities and groups, investors and customers, additional assurance and visibility on the sector’s site-level sustainability performance across a range of important practical measures.
TSM builds on existing commitments to <a href="https://minerals.org.au/enduring-value-framework">Enduring Value </a>– the Australian minerals industry’s corporate-level sustainable development framework – by providing a consistent and independently-verified approach to assess and communicate site level performance, supporting trust and enhancing confidence the industry’s sustainability credentials.
“Australian mining is a global leader in sustainability performance, and it’s time to take another step forward to enhance trust and confidence in the industry by the community, investors and customers,” said Ms. Constable.
“TSM has led to better outcomes for mining communities in Canada and around the world, and it’s great that Australia has chosen TSM as the vehicle to drive environmental and social performance in its mining sector. We are very proud of TSM’s increasingly global reach and power to improve sustainability through measuring site-level performance,” said Mr. Gratton.
The system includes guiding principles and standardised protocols to be adapted for Australian implementation, including:
<ul>
<li>Communities and People: Indigenous and Community Relationships, Safety and Health, Crisis Management and Communications Planning, Preventing Child and Forced Labour</li>
<li>Environmental Stewardship: Biodiversity Conservation Management, Tailings Management, Water Stewardship</li>
<li>Climate Change: Site-level targets and management</li>
</ul>
The program was established in 2004 by MAC to enable mining companies to meet society’s needs for minerals, metals and energy products in the most socially, economically and environmentally responsible way, with its core strengths including:
<ul>
<li>Accountability: Participation in TSM will be mandatory for all MCA members for their Australian operations, with assessments conducted at the facility level where the mining activity takes place</li>
<li>Transparency: Members commit to publicly report their performance in line with standardised protocols and indicators</li>
<li>Credibility: TSM includes ongoing consultation with a national Community of Interest Advisory Panel, an independent multi-stakeholder group, to oversee and shape the program for continual advancement.</li>
</ul>
Associated Links
To view the media backgrounder on this announcement and additional information on TSM, visit: <a href="https://bit.ly/3uMhnYC">https://bit.ly/3uMhnYC</a>.
&nbsp;
About MAC
The Mining Association of Canada is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members account for most of Canada’s production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal and mined oil sands, and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit <a href="http://www.mining.ca/">www.mining.ca</a>.
About MCA
The Minerals Council of Australia is the leading advocate for Australia’s world class minerals industry, promoting and enhancing sustainability, profitability and competitiveness. Please visit <a href="http://www.minerals.org.au/">www.minerals.org.au</a>.
Source: <a href="https://mining.ca/resources/press-releases/australian-minerals-sector-takes-accountability-to-new-level/">https://mining.ca/resources/press-releases/australian-minerals-sector-takes-accountability-to-new-level/</a>

Australian Minerals Sector Takes Accountability to New Level

Australia’s minerals industry is to introduce the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) system to, the Minerals Council of Australia says, further improve site-level performance through regular and transparent reporting on safety, environmental and social indicators, including partnerships with First Nations landholders and communities.
Adopting TSM – implemented worldwide among key mining nations – will support companies in demonstrating site-level safety, sustainability and environmental, social and governance performance through better measurement and accountability, the MCA said. TSM will also show how operations engage with Traditional Owners while supporting social and economic aspirations and heritage protection.
MCA CEO, Tania Constable, said the phased introduction of TSM as an expectation of MCA membership will give industry stakeholders, including First Nations partners, local communities and groups, investors and customers, additional assurance and visibility on the sector’s site-level sustainability performance across a range of important practical measures.
TSM builds on existing commitments to Enduring Value – the Australian minerals industry’s corporate-level sustainable development framework – by providing a consistent and independently verified approach to assess and communicate site level performance, supporting trust and enhancing confidence in the industry’s sustainability credentials, the MCA said.
Constable added: “Australian mining is a global leader in sustainability performance, and it’s time to take another step forward to enhance community, investor and customer trust and confidence in the industry.”
Mining Association of Canada CEO, Pierre Gratton, said: “TSM has led to better outcomes for mining communities in Canada and around the world, and it’s great that Australia has chosen TSM as the vehicle to demonstrate environmental and social performance in its mining sector. We are very proud of TSM’s increasingly global reach and power to improve sustainability through measuring site-level performance.”
The system includes guiding principles and standardised protocols to be adapted for Australian implementation, including:
<ul>
<li>Communities and people: Indigenous and community relationships, safety and health, crisis management and communication planning, preventing child and forced labour;</li>
<li>Environmental stewardship: biodiversity conservation management, tailings management, water stewardship; and</li>
<li>Climate change: site-level targets and management.</li>
</ul>
The program was established in 2004 by the Mining Association of Canada to enable mining companies to demonstrate how they are meeting society’s needs for minerals, metals and energy products in the most socially, economically and environmentally responsible way, with its core strengths including:
<ul>
<li>Accountability: participation in TSM will be an expectation for all Mining Association of Canada members for their Australian operations, with assessments conducted at the facility level where the mining activity takes place;</li>
<li>Transparency: members will publicly report their performance in line with standardised protocols and indicators; and</li>
<li>Credibility: TSM includes ongoing consultation with a national Community of Interest Advisory Panel, an independent multi-stakeholder group, to oversee and shape the program for continual advancement.</li>
</ul>
Source: <a href="https://im-mining.com/2021/03/03/minerals-council-australia-members-adopt-canadas-tsm-sustainability-system/">https://im-mining.com/2021/03/03/minerals-council-australia-members-adopt-canadas-tsm-sustainability-system/</a>

Minerals Council of Australia members to adopt Canada’s TSM sustainability system

Australian mining companies will now be required to follow stricter rules governing the impacts of their projects on First Nations communities and the environment, according to new guidelines adopted by the Minerals Council of Australia, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/miners-vow-to-come-clean-as-first-nations-climate-pressure-builds-20210302-p57738.html">The Sydney Morning Herald reported</a>.
The decision makes Australia the eighth country globally to adopt the <a href="https://mining.ca/towards-sustainable-mining/how-tsm-works/">Towards Sustainable Mining</a> initiative, which was started by Canada. The initiative requires mining companies to consistently evaluate relationships with indigenous communities, labor practices, and environmental impacts, including energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, and tailings waste. Previous <a href="https://mining.ca/towards-sustainable-mining/international/">signatories include</a> national mining associations in Finland, Argentina, Botswana, Spain, the Philippines, Brazil, and Norway.
“Trust has been discussed a lot across corporate Australia over the past few years,” Tania Constable, the chief executive of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), told The Herald. “This is how the industry can further demonstrate trust in the mining industry at a community level.”
The MCA’s decision to adopt the requirements for its members comes after years of growing mistrust between the Australian mining sector and First Nations communities, the public, and international investors. Following the destruction of 46,000-year-old Aboriginal rock shelters by the Rio Tinto mining project last year, a collective of global investors told Australia’s natural resource companies to improve Indigenous and environmental relations or risk a loss of capital.
Indigenous leaders supported the new guidelines, but said they ultimately still want legislative reform for the mining industry. “Our places, our sites, our history deserve better, and we demand strong reforms,” Bobby Nunggumajbarr, chairman of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority, told The Herald. “When strong reforms are enacted and our places are protected, all Australians will benefit.”
&nbsp;
Source: <a href="https://e360.yale.edu/digest/australian-miners-adopt-stricter-rules-for-indigenous-and-environmental-impacts">https://e360.yale.edu/digest/australian-miners-adopt-stricter-rules-for-indigenous-and-environmental-impacts</a>