Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Standard

TSM emphasizes two main areas to ensure comprehensive sustainability: 

• Communities and People: Ensuring that mining operations positively impact local communities, respecting Indigenous rights, and fostering strong community relations. 

• Environmental Stewardship: Promoting practices that protect and preserve the environment, including effective waste management and biodiversity conservation. 

TSM includes eight performance protocols, each with specific indicators to measure and publicly report performance: 

• Tailings Management: Ensuring safe and responsible management of tailings facilities. 

• Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting local ecosystems and promoting biodiversity. 

• Community Outreach: Engaging with local communities to address their concerns and needs. 

• Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management: Reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Crisis Management and Communications Planning: Preparing for and effectively managing potential crises. 

• Safety and Health: Ensuring the safety and health of workers and surrounding communities. 

• Water Stewardship: Managing water use and protecting water quality. 

• Preventing Child and Forced Labor: Upholding human rights and labor standards. 

One of TSM’s key strengths is its requirement for site-level assessments. Mining companies must evaluate and report their performance at the actual mining sites, providing local communities with meaningful insights into how nearby mines are performing. This localized approach supports transparency and accountability. 

TSM includes an independent verification process to ensure credibility and transparency. An advisory panel, consisting of representatives from Indigenous groups, environmental NGOs, and other stakeholders, reviews the performance reports. This independent oversight adds an extra layer of trust and reliability to the TSM assessments. 

TSM is mandatory for all members of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) for their Canadian operations. Its success has led to its adoption by mining associations worldwide, making it a leading standard for sustainable mining practices. 

TSM supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping mining companies contribute to global sustainability efforts. By aligning with these goals, TSM ensures that mining operations not only meet local and national standards but also contribute to broader international sustainability objectives.