The Mongolian National Mining Association (MNMA) has announced the adoption of Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM), a performance system developed by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) that improves environmental and social practices in the mining sector.

As a result, MNMA and its affiliated companies will adopt a set of indicators that will allow them to measure and publicly report on the quality of its management systems.

"To meet the global demand for minerals and metals that we need to build the low-carbon world, today the Mongolian mining industry takes another big step in terms of sustainability. We have been pioneers in good practices worldwide. This standard will allow companies to measure and demonstrate their positive impact models in social and environmental matters," said MNMA CEO Erdenetuya Ganbold.

MNMA is the twelfth national mining association outside Canada to adopt TSM. Other countries' national mining associations currently implementing TSM include: Mexico, Guatemala, Columbia, Panama, Brazil, Botswana, Australia, Philippines, Norway and Finland.

TSM is a globally recognised sustainability programme that supports mining companies in managing key environmental and social risks. TSM was the first mining sustainability standard in the world to require site-level assessments and is mandatory for all companies that are members of implementing associations. Through TSM, nine critical aspects of social and environmental performance are evaluated, independently validated, and publicly reported against 35 distinct performance indicators.

"The most interesting thing about the TSM standard is that communities and other interest groups have the opportunity to participate actively so that they can learn about the commitments and progress during the implementation process of each participating company," added Ganbold.

MAC president and CEO Pierre Gratton commented that it was the organisation’s privilege to share its tools and expertise in sustainable mining practices with the world.

“With Mongolia's adoption of TSM, we're proud to say that our made-in-Canada program is now in 12 countries on five continents. We applaud the Mongolian National Mining Association for taking this important step forward as it works to enhance its industry's environmental and social performance," he stated.

Performance in TSM is evaluated across a set of detailed environmental and social performance standards, including climate change, tailings management, water stewardship, Indigenous and community relationships, equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces, safety and health, biodiversity conservation, crisis management and preventing child and forced labour. TSM helps drive performance improvement where it counts — at the site level — and contributes to securing support for mining activities from the communities where it operates.

"Exporting Canada's expertise in environmental and social stewardship is one important way that we can contribute to responsible mining practices around the world," said Gratton.

"As a constantly evolving standard, TSM is particularly attractive globally due to its focus on climate change, effective tailings management and good practice in respectful engagement and collaboration with Indigenous communities, three focal points in our industry. Countries that adopt the programme are openly committing to going beyond the word of the law when it comes to sustainable practices."

To ensure TSM reflects the expectations of civil society and industry stakeholders, it was designed and continues to be shaped by an independent, multi-interest advisory panel. As part of its implementation, MNMA will implement a similar body to provide an oversight function.