Codelco seeks sustainable copper certification by 2023

Copper miners are increasingly looking to prove their sustainability credentials as buyers pay attention to the impact of products on the environment.

The Copper Mark was developed in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to demonstrate that copper production is done responsibly, said Codelco.

“Since 2020 … we have traced 100% of our production according to standards that are comparable to the criteria required by the international assurance system, The Copper Mark, so we hope that the process to obtain certification will be smooth” Codelco vice president of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Renato Fernandez said in a statement.

Codelco said its flagship El Teniente mine will be the first division to participate in the initiative.

To receive certification, each mine must meet 32 sustainability criteria relating to issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, health and safety, tailings management, biodiversity, business integrity, gender equality and human rights.

Evaluations are then carried out every three years.

In Chile, Antofagasta’s Centinela and Zaldivar mines and the BHP Escondida and Spence deposits have already signed up to the initiative.