New Veramark Rebrand Is Industry Smoke and Mirrors
In response to the decision to rebrand the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative and rename it the Veramark Global Mining Standard, the Mining Standards Accountability Alliance issued the following statement:
“Do not be distracted by the rebranding of the industry-led Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative (CMSI) to the Veramark Global Mining Standard with an ‘evolved Board of Directors.’ The move is a preposterous attempt to wipe away the failures of the CMSI process and distract from the industry-friendly board.
“In the nearly three years since being announced, analysis-backed criticism from global civil society has shown critical flaws in the CMSI and its development process. Notably, the CMSI was an industry-led standard that undermined international norms, failed to protect the rights of workers and Indigenous Peoples, and lacked sufficient environmental, human rights, and biodiversity safeguards—so much so that the mining industry now must rebrand it in an attempt to restore legitimacy.
“While the new final standard and assurance system have yet to be released, last week’s announcement proves much of what our analyses and public statements have demonstrated all along: this is an industry-led attempt to drive a race to the bottom for mining standards.
“The Veramark’s Board of Directors will be responsible not just for launching the standard later this year, but for leading its implementation around the world, coordinating audits and handling grievances. Their role will have drastic and immediate impacts for Indigenous Peoples, impacted communities, workers, and environmental management and its impacts on biodiversity.
“Copper Mark, the Secretariat of the newly named Veramark standard, is also rebranding as it faces increased scrutiny over certifying operations with egregious, documented human rights abuses. These include operations affecting the Cek Bocek People at the Batu Hijau mine in Indonesia; environmental violations related to pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss in the Elang Dodo Forest; and harm to communities around the Tenke Fungurume mine and processing facility in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Copper Mark had assured the site as “fully meeting all applicable criteria” of its responsible production standard.
“The makeup of the Veramark Board reflects the creation of this industry-backed standard. Executives from mining and metals companies and associations with poor track records of delivering on corporate environmental, social, and governance commitments are at the helm. For example:
- The Mining Association of Canada and the World Gold Council, original members of CMSI, represent controversial member companies like Barrick and BHP, and lobby to obstruct climate policy.
- Freeport-McMoran, through its Indonesian subsidiary, PT Freeport Indonesia, holds a substantial stake in the infamous Grasberg Mine. Grasberg has caused severe and extensive damage to forests and communities through dumping hazardous waste in river systems, repeatedly displaced local communities, damaged food supplies, and destroyed aquatic life closely tied to traditional livelihoods. Landslides at the mine site have caused the deaths of at least two workers, and at least nine students have been injured and seven more arrested while protesting for the mine’s closure.
- Rio Tinto, recognized as a top ten company globally with the highest number of human rights allegations in the last five years, is being sued at multiple sites around the world. In Western Austrailia, female workers are suing for alleged systemic sexual harassment and discrimination at mines. Community members in Madagascar are suing for alleged exposure to lead and uranium contamination from its QMM mine.
- Earlier this year, Argor-Heraeus was the center of a scandal where investigative journalists allege that some of the gold processed by the company may have originated from Venezuelan mines with human rights abuses.
“Other Board members have pre-existing, deep industry ties, notably to the copper industry. In addition to many members being active on Copper Mark’s board, some also have been involved with the International Copper Association, the self-proclaimed ‘global voice of the industry and industry lobby that formed the Copper Mark.
“While the final standard and assurance system have yet to be released, last week’s announcement proves this standard is multistakeholder in name only. So far, the Veramark Global Mining Standard appears to be the same global race to the bottom for mining standards that began with the CMSI.
“Rebranding does not erase the past. A new name does not fix the CMSI’s flawed and broken process.”
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