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and ICMM’s 10 Principles, are globally one or two very small Australian juniors : Do you think mining’s image in
accepted and can guide any company which were treating ESG very seriously, Q Australia and across the world
to improve their engagement with and effectively, with limited resources. is negative?
ESG. The standards are being revised
and invigorated constantly. The more : What are your near-term : Mining has contributed to almost
important question for me is: what Q ambitions in your role with A every aspect of modern life, but it
should companies be doing beyond the RPMGlobal? has been widely reported that it faces
standards? This is where RPMGlobal’s : I’m thrilled to join a talented team a crisis of reputation. We need to find
robust and pragmatic approach to A of professionals at a company new safer, more sustainable, and cost-
ESG plays such a key role. We offer that’s a leader in the ESG field. It’s a effective methods to supply the world’s
industry-leading due diligence reviews of fantastic opportunity. My near-term raw materials. We need to do this while
compliance with the standards, and we ambitions are to integrate within the showing that we can, and do care, for
possess in-house field-tested knowledge company and begin to add value, both to the environment and partner with our
on the core fundamentals of environment the company and to our clients. local stakeholders. I see tremendous
and social management. : What are your longer-term potential for mining to be a positive
agent of change in partnership with
: Does there need to be an ESG Q ambitions? local communities, but we need to walk
Q standard implemented that : It’s great to come on board at such our talk. This is where RPMGlobal has
mining companies across the A a pivotal time within the industry a proven track record of adding value
world to adhere to? and I’m excited by RPMGlobal’s vision of with our advisory services designed to
: I am hesitant to take the approach continued growth and leadership in the improve all aspects of mining.
A of a one-size-fits all standard and ESG space. I believe that communities : What do you make of the current
context is important. For example, many and mining companies can have a Q state of the mining sector?
of the majors have in-house standards beneficial two-way relationship. My : Mining is facing multiple
that meet or exceed the IFC PS. What ambition longer term is to be able to A challenges to its core business
worked with our engagement activities share that belief – and practical steps model, including decreasing grades,
in Cote d’Ivoire was different to what to achieve it – with our clients, resulting technology and artificial intelligence,
worked in Laos. The important takeaway in better value for communities and climate change, and a growing focus
here is companies need to embrace the companies. on environmental and social impacts.
position that strong ESG performance : Would ESG capabilities in the I find this exciting. Good companies
is good business in the same way that Q mining sector be enhanced by face challenges head-on, using them
safety has been embraced across a better representation of men as springboards to provide a better
mining. and women in the industry? product and benefit to society. I believe
: How do Australian mining : Every team I’ve worked in has that mining has a fantastic opportunity
Q companies rate in ESG A made positive strides with diversity to do the same thing. We have the
performance compared to and inclusion. This is particularly chance - whether it be providing the
peers across the world? important on the ground with community raw resources necessary for renewable
: I’m of the belief that several of relations; the team should reflect local energy or building partnerships with
A the bigger Australian mining society. Effective engagement requires local communities - to be deliverers of
companies are among global ESG leaders. gender diversity that reflects all of our solutions that create value for all of our
I’ve also had the privilege of interacting with local stakeholders. stakeholders.

Stephens with the community development team at MMG’s Sepon LXML
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