Environmental audit champions sustainable mining practices

ASPASA’s long-running environmental auditing programme has been revamped to become an invaluable tool to assist mines and quarries in meeting their Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) targets.

Surface mining industry association ASPASA advises that environmental compliance and ESG have become important components of the modern business environment and are high on the agenda of organisations locally and internationally.

Sustainable mining is critical to the continued existence of the small-scale mining industry whether it be aggregates, sand, dimension stone, clay, salt or any other commodity that is mined in the sector. The audits comprise online and physical audits, both of which are designed to establish the level of compliance and to assist the various operations and managers to improve their knowledge of environmental issues and the compliance requirements.

Managers do not always have the luxury of an environmental specialist readily available on site and for this reason it is necessary for them to have a good working knowledge of compliance requirements in order for them to be able to deal with any of the day-to-day issues that may arise at their operations.

The credibility of ASPASA is dependent on its member companies being above reproach. That’s why the association encourages all its members to participate and invite non-member companies to find out about the programmes and audits that are provided.