Research - Responsible Mining Foundation

Mining and the SDGs: how to address the materiality mismatch?

This Research Insight dives into the results found for three topics that have been on the list of “material” issues of most mining companies, shareholders, investors and lenders for years: Communities, Water and Gender. They all show a significant gap between what is being addressed by mining companies and what society expects, as framed in the SDGs.

Human rights defenders: Are mining companies playing their part?

The latest RMI Report 2020 reveals that most companies fail to demonstrate even a commitment to respect the internationally accepted rights and protections accorded to human rights defenders.

Gender inequality runs deep in mining

Gender equality is clearly a challenge for the mining industry. In mining companies and mining-affected communities, women are most often at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts. Are companies taking adequate action on these issues? Evidence suggests not.

Heritage lost to mining: a collective responsibility

Last month’s destruction by Rio Tinto of a 46,000-year-old site in Australia’s Juukan Gorge is part of a wider problem within the industry. The Foundation’s RMI Report 2020 reveals that many mining companies are still not committing not to mine in World Heritage Sites and to respect other protected areas.

Mining and Water: Are operational concerns overriding public interest?

While companies’ operational concerns about their water supply promote more regular reporting of water consumption levels, companies have largely neglected to publicly disclose locally relevant data on water quality...

Tailings management: What has changed since Brumadinho?

While an investor-led initiative has resulted in improved transparency about companies’ tailings storage facilities (TSF), the vast majority of companies are still unable to demonstrate that they are reviewing how effectively they are managing TSF-related risks...

Corporate ESG disclosure: from external requirement to company-wide norm

Stronger disclosure of data on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues is evident where mining companies are subject, or have signed up, to external requirements and reporting frameworks.

Women Miners

How have mining companies responded to the challenges of making the traditionally male-dominated industry safer and more suitable for women workers? The gender-related results of the Responsible Mining Index (RMI) 2018 show how large-scale mining companies are performing on these issues.

Research Insights

Mining and the SDGs: how to address the materiality mismatch?

Human rights defenders: Are mining companies playing their part?

Gender inequality runs deep in mining

Heritage lost to mining: a collective responsibility

Mining and Water: Are operational concerns overriding public interest?

Tailings management: What has changed since Brumadinho?

Corporate ESG disclosure: from external requirement to company-wide norm

Women Miners