The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) is a multi-sector initiative that offers independent, third-party auditing and transparency at mine sites using its 400+ page standard.
Strong, enforceable laws and regulations remain the best means of ensuring companies respect human rights, particularly those of Indigenous Peoples and other frontline communities, and protecting the environment. Earthworks has been and continues to be critical of voluntary and certification systems, particularly those initiated and governed by industry. We also recognize that the laws and rules governing mining around the world range from absent to inadequate, almost across the board.
Recognizing this gap, in 2006, Earthworks joined labor unions, community groups, and NGOs in an effort to define more responsible mining practices—and engaged with mining companies and downstream buyers of minerals to build IRMA’s system for oversight and verification with compliance.
We recognize that there is more work to be done to strengthen standards to reflect best practice, and that IRMA is a dynamic process that will continue to evolve with new technology, information, and understanding.
Even as Earthworks advocates for mandatory requirements and legal reforms governing mining, we view IRMA’s standard and audits as an additional tool to provide transparency and hold mining companies accountable for the human rights, environmental, and labor conditions at mine sites. While we believe in the strategic value of IRMA, we understand that others may not agree with our assessment. Nevertheless, we strive to always center the priorities of frontline communities in our collaboration with them.
Our Commitment
Earthworks is committed to standing with communities and workers on the frontlines who are bearing the greatest impacts of mining, and to being a strong advocate for high standards, disclosure, and accountability in our engagement with IRMA or any other voluntary system.
IRMA is governed by a multi-sector Board (six labor, community, and NGO seats, and six finance, mining, and downstream buyer seats), including our allies Human Rights Watch, IndustriALL Global Union, the United Steelworkers, Mining Affected Communities United in Action, and others. Earthworks was a founding board member and served on the board for 16 years. We have now stepped aside to welcome new NGO leadership to that seat. We remain a member of IRMA.
We commit to the following in our engagement with IRMA or any other voluntary system:
- Advocating for high-bar standards for environmental, human rights, and governance, including the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent;
- Advocating for transparency, accountability, and stronger auditing and membership requirements;
- Advocating for more inclusion, resources, and the participation of frontline communities and workers throughout the IRMA system; and
- Pushing back against any attempts to greenwash or weaken IRMA’s governance, commitment to transparency, auditing process, or membership system, including advocating for increased clarity around auditing, membership, and claims.
For More Information
For more information about the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance or its Standard for Responsible Mining, please see the IRMA website or contact info@responsiblemining.net. To submit a complaint to IRMA, please email: complaints@responsiblemining.net.
