Average of the best scores achieved collectively by all companies for each one of the indicators under the thematic area
Average of the scores achieved by each one of the companies under this thematic area
The 0.00-6.00 scale is the scoring scale used in the assessment.
Summary of results
As with the other thematic areas, company results in Environmental Responsibility tend to be stronger for showing evidence of commitments than actions or performance monitoring (effectiveness). In this case, most companies have made formalised commitments to manage their environmental impacts systematically. Aside from these commitments, the strongest result is on the disclosure of information on the location and safety of tailings storage facilities. These disclosures are directly linked to an external initiative: the request sent to mining companies by the Mining & Tailings Safety Initiative jointly led by the Church of England Pensions Board and the Swedish Council of Ethics of the AP Funds, requesting information on tailings storage facilities. This request for transparency on tailings management was made following the catastrophic failure of the Brumadinho tailings dam in Brazil in January 2019.
In general, companies show little evidence of tracking and reviewing their performance on managing issues such as water consumption and water quality, biodiversity, greenhouse gases and energy consumption. In some cases, there has even been a drop-off in results compared with those seen in the RMI Report 2018: for example, earlier targets have not been updated, or there is no evidence of companies following up on recent reviews or on continuous improvement programmes. This confirms that effectiveness requires persistent efforts on the part of companies.
Leading practices in Environmental Responsibility include an innovative use of a legacy mine site to provide water for local farmers, public disclosure of environmental incidents, and inclusion of Scope 3 emissions in greenhouse gases reporting.
F.01 Environmental Stewardship
F.01.1
CommitmentThe company commits to manage its environmental impacts systematically, through the mitigation hierarchy approach.
Observation
The vast majority of the companies show evidence of having a formal commitment on managing their environmental impacts. Less than one-third of the companies have included in their formal commitment an explicit reference to the systematic application of the mitigation hierarchy or an equivalent approach that first seeks avoidance or prevention of impacts, before envisaging minimising, mitigating or compensating them. Most companies have committed financial and/or staffing resources to implement their commitments on environmental impact management.
F.01.2
ActionThe company has systems in place to ensure its operations conduct and disclose regular assessments of its environmental impacts through an integrated approach that considers the linkages between socio-economic and environmental impacts.
Observation
The vast majority of the companies show evidence of having put in place requirements for assessing the environmental impacts of their activities, but only a handful of companies demonstrate they have taken an integrated approach that includes socio-economic and environmental impacts. About one-third of the companies have also put in place a company-wide system for identifying the baseline conditions at all their operations. No company demonstrates that it has fully put in place systems to present and discuss the results of their assessments with local communities, across all their operations.
Related Leading Practices
- Public disclosure of independent audits on site-level social and environmental performance
Public disclosure of independent audits on site-level social and environmental performance
Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi mine site in Mongolia publicly discloses regular independent audit reports that review its performance on social, environmental and health and safety matters and recommend any remedial action in order to comply with the standards of the Senior Lenders' Group financing the project. Disclosure of these audits is also driven by these lenders, which include, among others, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
F.02 Tailings Management
F.02.1
CommitmentThe company commits to not use riverine, lake or marine disposal of tailings.
Observation
Only one company has formally committed to not dispose tailings in rivers, lakes or marine environments. A handful of other companies publicly report that they do not practice such disposal measures, while at least eight companies are actively discharging tailings to rivers or marine environment or are storing them on the seabed.
F.02.2
ActionWhere applicable, the company publicly discloses information about the location and safety of all its tailings storage facilities.
Observation
More than half of the companies publicly disclose the number and exact location of all their tailings storage facilities. Most of these companies were requested by the Investor Mining & Tailings Safety Initiative, led by the Church of England Pensions Board and the Swedish Council of Ethics of the AP Funds, to provide this and other detailed information relating to their tailings storage facilities. A few companies stand out by providing the relevant data in machine-readable format.
Related Leading Practices
- Disclosure of data on tailings storage facilities in machine-readable format
Following the catastrophic Brumadinho tailings dam failure in Brazil in January 2019, the Investor Mining & Tailings Safety Initiative, led by the Church of England Pension Board in association with the Swedish Council of Ethics of the AP Fund, sent a formal request to nearly 700 extractive companies to disclose contextual technical data on their tailings storage facilities. The data requested include, for example, the location, construction type, volume stored and hazard category of each of their tailings facilities. While several of the RMI-assessed companies provided requested information, two companies - Rio Tinto and Teck - stand out as they make the data more easily used and shared, in machine-readable Excel files.
F.02.3
EffectivenessWhere applicable, the company tracks, reviews and acts to improve its performance on addressing potential risks related to its tailings facilities, including seepage and tailings dam failure.
Observation
A handful of companies show evidence of having conducted third-party audits or reviews on the management of their tailings storage facilities (TSF), although these are often limited in scope. A handful of companies demonstrate that their third-party reviews look at the effectiveness of their TSF management, maintenance, monitoring and emergency processes and protocols. The disclosure request led by Church of England and the Swedish Council of Ethics of the AP Funds is to be credited for most of the reporting on this issue.
F.03 Water
F.03.1
ActionThe company has systems in place to ensure its operations design and implement water stewardship strategies and plans, based on a catchment-level approach, to address water security in the affected area for current and future water users and the environment.
Observation
The vast majority of companies disclose at least some information on their approach to developing water stewardship strategies or plans. Approximately half of the companies also require their operations to consult with affected stakeholders in the development of these strategies or plans. There is less evidence of companies systematically tracking the implementation of their water stewardship strategies.
Related Leading Practices
- Extracting water from a legacy site for use by local farmers
Resolute Copper, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto and BHP, plans to restart production from the Magma mine, an old underground mine in Arizona, USA, that ceased operating in 1996 and that is currently flooded. Considering that the mine needs to be dewatered prior to the beginning of any new operation, and that general water availability is critical in this arid state, the company equipped its pumping system with a treatment plant and constructed a 45-km long pipeline to provide clean water for use by local farmers for crop irrigation.
F.03.2
EffectivenessThe company tracks, reviews and acts to improve its performance on reducing its water consumption
Observation
While most companies show evidence of some level of tracking and reporting on their performance on reducing their water consumption, less than one-third of the companies disclose their monitoring data against targets for reducing their water consumption. Very few companies also show evidence of having recently conducted reviews or audits of the effectiveness of their measures to reduce their water consumption.
Related Leading Practices
- Linking sustainability KPIs to variable compensation program for all employees
- Disclosure of site-disaggregated, machine-readable data on environmental performance
Linking sustainability KPIs to variable compensation program for all employees
Vale
Vale has linked its sustainability-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to its variable compensation program that applies to all Vale employees. These indicators relate primarily to efforts to reduce water usage, waste production, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as rehabilitation of degraded areas and implementation of social initiatives. The indicators are weighted in order to encourage continuous improvement in sustainability performance by each of the company's operations.
Disclosure of site-disaggregated, machine-readable data on environmental performance
Barrick Gold Corp
Barrick Gold Corp publishes environmental data for all the company's mine sites (excluding those operated by Acacia Mining) in one Excel file. This includes several water-related variables (quantities of water withdrawal and water discharge, and intensity of water consumption) as well as data on, for example, employment, health and safety, waste, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Comparable data are shown across national, regional and local levels.
F.03.3
EffectivenessThe company tracks, reviews and acts to improve its performance on reducing its adverse impacts on water quality.
Observation
Over one-third of the companies show some evidence of tracking and reporting on water quality in and around their operations, although the data provided is often very limited. Only one company discloses tracking of its water quality data across all its operations, and only on one measure (conductivity) and another company shares comprehensive water quality data but only for one of its mine sites. Very few companies have disclosed their targets on water quality, and only one company shares information on performance reviews it has conducted that led to recommendations and responsive actions to improve water quality management and reduce downstream impacts.
Related Leading Practices
- Disclosure of site-disaggregated, machine readable data on air and water quality
- Site-level online reporting of performance on managing water quality
Disclosure of site-disaggregated, machine readable data on air and water quality
CODELCO
The Codelco Transparente website provides site-by-site air and water quality monitoring data. Data from the online resource can also be downloaded in Excel format.
Site-level online reporting of performance on managing water quality
Antofagasta
Antofagasta's Los Pelambres mine in Chile provides online data for seven surface water and three groundwater monitoring points around the mine site, for levels of copper, molybdenum, coliforms, faecal coliforms, and sulphate in surface and groundwater (and iron levels in surface water) over a ten-year period.
F.04 Noise and Vibration
F.04.1
ActionThe company has systems in place to ensure its operations limit the impacts of noise and vibration on affected communities, structures, properties, and wildlife.
Observation
About half of the companies show some evidence of assessing the noise and/or vibration levels generated by their impacts. These assessments most often relate to the impacts of noise on their workers, with fewer companies showing evidence of assessing or addressing the impacts of noise and vibration on communities. There is very little evidence of companies assessing or addressing similar impacts on properties or structures in the surrounding area. No companies mention the impacts of noise and vibration on wildlife.
Related Leading Practices
- Assessing and minimising the impact of noise on communities
Assessing and minimising the impact of noise on communities
Vale
Vale is using advanced technology to measure, record, communicate and reduce the noise impacts of its operations on neighbouring communities. The system automatically transmits sound pressure levels in real time from numerous mines to the Vale Environmental Control Center, where staff analyse the data by comparing sound pressure levels between monitoring stations installed in industrial sites and in nearby communities. The system automatically correlates weather parameters, including air temperature, wind speed and direction. With recorded audio, it also allows Vale to identify which noise events are caused by its mining activities and which are caused by another source of environmental noise. The data and maps generated by the system enable the company to correlate noise results with its operations and conduct fact-based conversations with neighbouring communities registering complaints.
F.05 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
F.05.1
CommitmentThe company commits to not explore or mine in World Heritage Sites and to respect other terrestrial and marine protected areas that are designated to conserve cultural or natural heritage.
Observation
Over half of the companies have made some commitments to respecting World Heritage Sites or other protected areas. Ten companies have developed and disclosed formalised commitments to not explore or mine in World Heritage Sites and to respect other terrestrial and marine protected areas. A similar number of companies have assigned responsibility and committed resources to implement these commitments.
F.05.2
EffectivenessThe company tracks, reviews and acts to improve its performance on biodiversity and ecosystem services management.
Observation
Generally, companies’ disclosures on biodiversity management are limited to information on their land rehabilitation measures. Fewer companies provide information on wider biodiversity conservation measures they have put in place during their operations. Very few companies show evidence of having recently conducted reviews or audits on the effectiveness of their biodiversity management measures.
Related Leading Practices
- Site-level tracking of progress on Net Positive Impact
Site-level tracking of progress on Net Positive Impact
Teck
Teck requires each site to develop a biodiversity management plan that describes its pathway to achieving Net Positive Impact (NPI). The management plan is updated on average once per year and commitments identified in the plan are integrated into internal reporting systems. When monitoring and reporting on achieving NPI through the biodiversity management plan, many sites at Teck use a Pressure-State-Response framework, to trace the causal link between Teck's impacts (pressure), mitigation measures (response) and biodiversity outcomes (state), and present a complete framework for the monitoring and adaptive management of Teck's biodiversity control and mitigation measures.
F.06 Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
F.06.1
ActionThe company has systems in place to identify and report on the potential implications of climate change on its current and future operations’ impacts on communities, workers and the environment, and to design and implement appropriate adaptation and transition strategies.
Observation
Most companies that have incorporated climate change risks in their management plans and corporate strategies do not show evidence of considering these risks from the perspective of their impacts on communities, workers or the environment. Only a handful of companies refer to climate change-related risks to their workers.
Related Leading Practices
- Mapping predicted climate-change impacts to inform risk management
Mapping predicted climate-change impacts to inform risk management
Vale
Vale has mapped likely climate change impacts in the different regions of Brazil, based on data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and has produced other information tools to consider the physical impacts of climate change within the company's existing risk management processes. The map and tools have been incorporated into company-wide guidance for operations to develop their own preliminary risk analyses and adaptation plans.
F.06.2
EffectivenessThe company tracks, reviews and acts to improve its performance on managing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by its activities and its energy use.
Observation
The vast majority of companies show some evidence of tracking their performance on managing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by their activities and/or their energy use, with over half of the companies disclosing comprehensive tracking data against publicly disclosed targets. Fewer companies demonstrate that they have reviewed the effectiveness of their measures to manage their GHG emissions, and fewer still show evidence of having taken actions in response to any such reviews/audits.
Related Leading Practices
- Linking sustainability KPIs to variable compensation program for all employees
- Disclosure of site-disaggregated, machine-readable data on environmental performance
- Reporting of Scope 3 emissions
Linking sustainability KPIs to variable compensation program for all employees
Vale
Vale has linked its sustainability-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to its variable compensation program that applies to all Vale employees. These indicators relate primarily to efforts to reduce water usage, waste production, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as rehabilitation of degraded areas and implementation of social initiatives. The indicators are weighted in order to encourage continuous improvement in sustainability performance by each of the company's operations.
Disclosure of site-disaggregated, machine-readable data on environmental performance
Barrick Gold Corp
Barrick Gold Corp publishes environmental data for all the company's mine sites (excluding those operated by Acacia Mining) in one Excel file. This includes several water-related variables (quantities of water withdrawal and water discharge, and intensity of water consumption) as well as data on, for example, employment, health and safety, waste, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Comparable data are shown across national, regional and local levels.
Reporting of Scope 3 emissions
Anglo American
ArcelorMittal
BHP
Exxaro Resources
Industrias Peñoles
Sibanye-Stillwater
RUSAL
Vale
Some companies disclose their Scope 3 emissions data, i.e. all indirect emissions (excluding those from the generation of purchased energy) that occur in the value chain, including both upstream and downstream emissions. Such disclosure helps to show a closer-to-reality picture of the carbon footprint of the minerals and metals supply chain. Although companies that report to the CDP have been required to disclose their Scope 3 emissions since 2018, only some of them do this. Companies that disclose their Scope 3 emission data include Anglo American and its subsidiary Anglo American Platinum, ArcelorMittal, BHP, Exxaro, Industrias Peñoles’ subsidiary Fresnillo, Sibanye-Stillwater, RUSAL and Vale.
F.06.3
EffectivenessThe company tracks, reviews and acts to improve its performance on managing energy consumption throughout its operations.
Observation
The vast majority of companies show some evidence of tracking their performance on managing their energy consumption, with a handful of companies disclosing comprehensive tracking data against publicly disclosed targets. Fewer companies demonstrate that they have reviewed the effectiveness of their measures to manage their energy consumption, and fewer still show evidence of having taken actions in response to any such reviews/audits.
Related Leading Practices
- Linking sustainability KPIs to variable compensation program for all employees
- Disclosure of site-disaggregated, machine-readable data on environmental performance
Linking sustainability KPIs to variable compensation program for all employees
Vale
Vale has linked its sustainability-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to its variable compensation program that applies to all Vale employees. These indicators relate primarily to efforts to reduce water usage, waste production, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as rehabilitation of degraded areas and implementation of social initiatives. The indicators are weighted in order to encourage continuous improvement in sustainability performance by each of the company's operations.
Disclosure of site-disaggregated, machine-readable data on environmental performance
Barrick Gold Corp
Barrick Gold Corp publishes environmental data for all the company's mine sites (excluding those operated by Acacia Mining) in one Excel file. This includes several water-related variables (quantities of water withdrawal and water discharge, and intensity of water consumption) as well as data on, for example, employment, health and safety, waste, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Comparable data are shown across national, regional and local levels.
F.07 Hazardous Materials Management
F.07.1
ActionThe company has systems in place to ensure its operations identify and assess potential risks related to the transportation, handling, storage, emission and disposal of hazardous materials, and to design and implement strategies and plans to address identified risks.
Observation
The vast majority of companies show some evidence of having an approach to identifying and addressing the risks related to their use of hazardous materials. A few companies demonstrate that they have developed management standards and procedures relating to the risks from both their use and their production of hazardous materials, and similar systems to ensure their operations develop strategies and plans to address these risks.
F.08 Emergency Preparedness
F.08.1
ActionThe company has systems in place to ensure its operations engage local authorities, workers and communities in developing, communicating and testing emergency preparedness and response plans.
Observation
The vast majority of the companies show some evidence of having actions or systems in place to develop emergency preparedness and response plans, with a handful of companies demonstrating formalised systems for this issue. Far fewer companies show evidence of engaging with local stakeholders in the design or testing of these plans. One company stands out as having formalised management standards, processes and protocols for emergency preparedness and response, including collaborative approaches to design and testing of the plans.
Related Leading Practices
- Participatory design of a contingency plan
- Aligning emergency plan with the UN Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level (APELL) standard
Participatory design of a contingency plan
Antofagasta
In 2016, following demands from the residents of Caimanes, Chile for better information and participation in the design of emergency plans for Antofagasta's Los Pelambres mine site, the company engaged with the community and the local authorities to develop a Contingency Plan for this site. The Plan takes into account the residents' concerns and suggestions, and makes provision for, e.g., setting a new safety zone in Caimanes and installing signage, lighting and an audible alarm to improve evacuation of the community to this zone in the case of an emergency.
Aligning emergency plan with the UN Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level (APELL) standard
Antofagasta
In partnership with other industries, local communities and local government and emergency services, Antofagasta has created an integrated emergency plan for its Antucoya mine site close to the municipality of María Elena. Within the framework of the United Nations’ Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level (APELL) standard, the response capacity was diagnosed then the initiative involved training and certification of key institutions and players at local and regional level, as well as raising awareness and providing information to the community.
F.08.2
ActionThe company publicly discloses all relevant information about financial assurance that is provided for disaster management and recovery, throughout its operations.
Observation
No companies show any evidence of disclosing relevant information about financial provisions related to disaster management and recovery. In a few instances, companies have disclosed the costs associated with a disaster recovery (tailings dam failure or tailings accidental discharge or leak), but no information was found on the actual financial assurance mechanism and amounts set aside by any company to cover these costs. Whilst companies may well have financial assurance provisions in place, no evidence was found of public disclosure of these provisions.