Environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in the mining sector are fragmented and need to be improved.
Several speakers at the African Mining Week 2025, held in Cape Town, until the 03rd of October, agreed there is a need to consolidate frameworks to unlock value creation.
Charlene Wrigley, Vice President Sustainability Strategy and Disclosures at GoldFields said ESG reporting standards enable companies to better understand the benefits and impact of their investments in the minerals sector, and suggested frameworks be streamlined.
“The CMSI’s final public consultation, and final opportunity for input, on the draft Consolidated Standard, Assurance Process and Claims Policy is launching on the 8 October.
ESG has to make good business sense, add-value and be fit-for-purpose. A company’s ESG performance has to enable your business strategy and demonstrate impact where it matters most” said Wrigley.
Charmane Russell, Founder and Managing Director of Southern African communications agency R&A Strategic Communications agreed “the ultimate goal is of sustainability reporting is providing information that is decision-useful.”
Amid heightened geo-strategic competition for access to critical minerals, Alex Benkenstein, Head of the Climate and Natural Resources Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs, said it is important that governments and civil society engage on ESG compliance.
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Picture: via LinkedIn