Antofagasta Minerals says that Minera Centinela and Minera Zaldívar will be the first of its operations to be incorporated into Copper Mark, a voluntary international initiative that corroborates that copper production is obtained through processes that meet high sustainability standards. In this way, metal buyers can distinguish between mining companies according to their level of commitment to responsible mining.
“We are going to start this process in Centinela and Zaldívar and then extend it to the rest of our companies. Copper Mark allows an external and independent entity to review, according to defined requirements, our sustainability practices and indicate our level of compliance and if we have aspects where we must improve,” explained Iván Arriagada, Executive President of Antofagasta Minerals.
Copper Mark requires compliance with 32 criteria within a maximum period of two years from the signing of the commitment letter. Among other aspects, it considers issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, health and safety, tailings management, biodiversity, business integrity, gender equality and human rights. Every three years companies must demonstrate that they continue to fully meet these parameters, through a reassessment by independent Copper Mark analysts or through equivalent and recognised standards or certifications.
“This external, independent look will help us to continue advancing towards responsible mining from different points of view. We want to be leaders in sustainability and Copper Mark is part of this path,” said René Aguilar, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Antofagasta Minerals.
The Copper Mark assurance process was created in April 2019 by the International Copper Association (ICA), of which Antofagasta Minerals is a member; although since December of that year it has functioned as an autonomous entity. Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the program responds to the market’s need for a complete and reliable system that certifies responsible copper production.
