Guatemala. Gremial de Recursos Naturales, Minas y Canteras de Guatemala (Grenat) organized the first workshop on TSM (Towards Sustainable Mining) mining sustainability standards in Guatemala, aimed at sustainability leaders, social responsibility, environment and community relations in the main projects of metal mining and non-metallic in the country. The two-day training was led by Ben Chalmers, Vice President of the Mining Association of Canada, and Carolina Gutiérrez, Director of Sustainability for the Colombian Mining Association.
During the workshop, participants received training on nine key protocols of the TSM standard, including community and indigenous people relations, safety and health, water management, biodiversity conservation, waste management, crisis management and communication planning. , child prevention. and forced labor, and climate change. In addition, a draft of the next inclusion, equity and diversity protocol was presented.
Valery Zurita, executive director of Grenat, expressed his gratitude to the Canadian Mining Association and the Colombian Mining Association for their support in organizing this workshop as one of the first steps in the implementation of TSM standards in Guatemala. “The implementation of this standard and the participation of all area leaders in this workshop demonstrates the commitment of the Guatemalan mining industry to strengthen sustainable practices in operations. As representatives of the sector, we will continue to work to promote training activities such as those that guide companies in correct compliance with each protocol”, indicated Zurita.
Grenat joined TSM last October, making Guatemala the fourth Latin American country to join the initiative. Currently, 13 countries are part of TSM and work together to implement sustainable practices in the mining industry worldwide.
“As a founding member of TSM, we are always happy to have the opportunity to share our knowledge of the standard and support its implementation with our new partners,” said Ben Chalmers, Vice President of the Mining Association of Canada. “Supply chains and customers demand that minerals and metals are sourced to strict sustainability standards, and local communities expect strong environmental behavior and community engagement from companies. GRENAT is committed to doing this through the adoption of the TSM”.
