The current state of sustainable development reporting and assurance, as explained by Deloitte on Mondaq (registration required). They assess 36 reports of different mining companies. I was interested by the comment on the “generation of trust”:
Trust has been a critical issue for many companies and none more so than in the mining sector. The concept of licence to operate is built on the appropriate behaviour of a company, and the trust that is built up over time facilitating both current operations and future developments. A great number of individuals are watching and commenting on mining operations and developments, from local populations to non-governmental organisations and governments, and the media. In addition, employees want to know that they are working for a company that understands and manages its nonfinancial performance well. SD reporting has been a key element for many companies in being open and honest regarding practices in those areas that impact stakeholders and the surrounding environment.
Much seems to be owed to the Global Reporting Initiative for furthering this process.
