Talison Lithium has volunteered its Greenbushes Lithium Operation to undergo an independent audit against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance’s (IRMA) Standard for Responsible Mining.
This will make the Greenbushes operation the first mine in Australia to undergo third-party assessment against IRMA’s standard, and Talison has said that the decision reflects its commitment to responsible mining practices and transparency.
Located 250km south of Perth, the Greenbushes Lithium Operation has been a leader in the Australian lithium sector for over 40 years. Renowned globally for its high-quality ore reserves, it is a key supplier of lithium, a critical mineral essential for the global transition to cleaner energy.
The operation employs more than 1,500 people, and is committed to engaging closely with its workforce, shareholders and the local community to mitigate impacts and maximise opportunity as it continues to expand.
The IRMA assessment will be conducted by SCS Global Services, an IRMA-approved independent audit firm, and will include a comprehensive two-stage process: a desktop review (Stage 1) followed by an onsite audit (Stage 2).
Talison Interim Managing Director, Ian McGuire, said that the company cares about a better future, and that its stakeholders do as well.
“Whether it be employees, the community or customers, we want them to know we are committed to responsible mining and production practices,” Mr McGuire said.
“To achieve this, we need to provide those affected by our mine with the information they need to engage in meaningful dialogue about where Talison is achieving best practice, and where there is more work to be done.
IRMA Executive Director, Aimee Boulanger, said that by volunteering Greenbushes for independent audit against the world’s most rigorous global mining standard, Talison is providing unprecedented transparency into the operations of an Australian mine.
“They are effectively putting themselves under a microscope and welcoming affected stakeholders to examine their mine and help them make their mine more responsible.”
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