Page 30 - pd294-June21-mag-web_Neat

coPPeR sPotLIGHt

Industry sets new standard

emands for transparency from both
Dinvestors and customers has pushed
the copper sector to create its own indus-
try assurance framework capable of cer-
tifying responsible mining, refining and
smelting practices.
Established in 2017, The Copper Mark
is designed to build trust in copper pro-
duction at a time when mining of all hues
is under increased pressure to prove its
credentials.
“Investors are increasingly looking for
a sustainable portfolio, a trend only ac-
celerated and increased by the pandem-
ic, climate change and governmental
shifts to de-carbonisation and net zero
emissions and those calls were heard
by industry,” The Copper Mark chief ex-
ecutive Michele Brulhart told Paydirt.
“There has been a definite increase in
interest and questions from customers –
predominantly auto-manufacturers and
electronics companies – who are actively
engaged in the supply chain.”
Decarbonisation and environmental
stewardship form part of the 32 elements
The Copper Mark has identified as cru-
cial to responsible practices in the in-
dustry. Other criteria include stakeholder
engagement, child and forced labour,
tailings and waste management, com-
munity development and cultural herit-
age and indigenous rights.
Brulhart said each of the criteria was Michele Brulhart
equally weighted. understand what regulations are com- not if only the major copper producers
“All 32 elements are crucial but each ing through the pipeline and how we can produce responsibly through the Copper
one isn’t the same for all participants. It is help our participants negotiate them.” Mark. We are not here to distinguish the
a question of where you and your stake- With standards such as the Respon- top performers but move everyone for-
holders fit in the chain,” she said. sible Mining Initiative, the Joint Due Dili- ward.”
“Trends are also always shifting. Right gence Standard for Copper, Lead, Nickel Brulhart said the criteria was manage-
now, it is decarbonisation, before that it and Zinc and the Aluminium Stewardship ment-system based, meaning the assur-
was cultural heritage and before that tail- already available, The Copper Mark has ance process would not place unachiev-
ings. If you don’t know what tomorrow’s been able to build its framework on the able burdens on smaller companies.
topic will be, you must make sure you’re back of others. “There are heavily reduced fees [10%
not focusing on all of them. “The landscape is increasingly com- of full price] for smaller participants to
“As an industry there are collective plex and we are not the first to this so make sure there are no barriers to en-
challenges on cultural heritage, water us- we had to make sure we build on what’s try, and we have extensive training pro-
age, and other issues. The Copper Mark already out there,” Brulhart said. “That grammes available,” she said. “The im-
standard allows for awareness-raising allowed us to look at different systems, pact will be most significant if we reach
across the value chain and how can we learning the benefits, downfalls and chal- the middle of the industry.
address the issues; that is broader than lenges.” “For now, it only covers production, but
the 32 elements. The foundation is re- One of the main learnings was that we will be discussing exploration at the
sponsible production.” any industry standard must be attainable end of the year, looking at if and how to
The Copper Mark also charts changes for the vast spectrum of potential partici- add exploration-stage projects.”
in expectation, policy and legislation and pants. By bringing in exploration, The Copper
how they may affect copper producers. “The Copper Mark is designed to be Mark could begin to close the loop of the
“We are following regional develop- inclusive and pragmatic, we need to copper production cycle, the other ele-
ments in Europe as the impact on the build something that fits the needs and ment being end-users.
mineral supply chain is felt, particularly brings the full industry along,” Brulhart “Somehow we have to link it to the
around human rights and the minerals said. “We absolutely welcome participa- OEMs so they can say they have sourced
themselves,” Brulhart said. “We must tion from smaller companies. Success is their copper responsibly,” Brulhart said.

Page 30 JUNe 2021 aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT