The mining industry is more important than ever because of the key role it has to play in the transition to zero. However, this comes at a time of significantly increased scrutiny and expectations of environmental, social and governance impacts from regulators, investors, consumers and the general public. Managing group-wide ESG risks – particularly human rights and environmental risks – has never been more important, including in the extractive industry.

A variety of significant incidents and events, from disasters involving tailings dams, mine collapses and environmental accidents to the destruction of indigenous heritage sites, have drawn attention to the importance of putting in place the right systems and processes to manage the ESG risk matrix across increasingly complex supply and value chains. And while good governance is key to managing ESG risks, particularly at a group level, it is clear that having good policies in place is not enough. Particular attention must also be paid to how these policies and systems are implemented and monitored on the ground. (James Marlow, Charlotte Cartwright, Rebecca Burton, more on lexology.com)