ESG certification in the mining sector: going beyond compliance

ESG certification reinforces the credibility of mining companies with their trade partners. But how can leaders go beyond compliance and create a tangible business advantage?

Quebec’s mining sector is booming. It is made up of thousands of suppliers of goods and services that support 45 advanced mining projects. Investment in mining exceeded $6B in 2024. Since there is increasing interest in critical and strategic minerals, your ability to demonstrate your environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices becomes an important element of your business development.

Take, for example, a drilling company that receives an ESG questionnaire from a large mining company and must respond within two weeks. The drilling company’s practices are thorough, but they were never formalized or documented. Since there isn’t sufficient evidence, the company could lose the contract, despite its high-quality services.

Which ESG certifications apply to Quebec’s mining sector?

Quebec has been a pioneer in the field of ESG certification for the mining industry. With the support of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) and the Quebec government, the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA) launched the UL ECOLOGO certification program. This is the world’s first ESG certification program for mineral exploration companies and service providers. The QMEA supports mining sector organizations with their ESG certification process. Furthermore, member organizations of the Mining Association of Canada are required to participate in the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program.

On an international level, efforts to align the primary ESG obligations are ongoing. In October 2026, Veramark (formerly The Copper Mark) began to coordinate an initiative that involves the World Gold Council, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and the Mining Association of Canada. These organizations are working on developing a global standard and the final version should be revealed in early 2027. 

These initiatives encourage the adoption of responsible practices in the mining sector by proposing recognized frameworks and common requirements. However, such initiatives should be paired with a review of each organization’s strategic priorities and specific risks.

ESG, a requirement for each link in the chain

The ESG commitments of large mining companies impact not only its activities, but also those of every entity in their supply chain.

In order to meet the expectations of their investors, maintain certain obligations and access new markets, an increasing number of organizations are asking their suppliers and subcontractors to demonstrate their responsible practices.

If your company provides goods and services in the mining sector, you have a tangible challenge. You must be able to provide the evidence required by your clients to maintain your trade relationships and seize new business opportunities.

These expectations can take different forms. While securing a round of financing, a mining exploration company could realize that investors are reviewing its ESG practices and comparing them to competitors who already have UL ECOLOGO certification. Similarly, a European buyer or partner in the battery industry could request information regarding the traceability of products and relationships with the communities before finalizing a procurement agreement.

ESG issues can also be particularly important during transactions. Whether you’re embarking on an acquisition or equity participation or have secured a new investor, reliable information on the primary risks and steps taken to address them facilitate their review during the due diligence process.

ESG certification in the mining sector is more than a strategy. It opens doors.

Certification is a valuable asset. It allows entities to confirm that their organization meets the criteria of a recognized framework and enhances its credibility with commercial and financial partners. While it opens certain doors, it’s not the only criterion for guiding a company’s strategic choices. Certification is a passport rather than a destination.

In addition to verifying certification, lenders, investors, strategic buyers and boards of directors seek to understand how the primary ESG risks are evaluated, addressed and considered when making business decisions. These factors allow the parties to recognize the organization’s resilience and development opportunities.

Frameworks serve as a starting point that you can integrate into a strategy tailored to your circumstances. This strategy may include the following.

• Evaluating your existing practices in order to identify your strengths and gaps that should be addressed.
• Determining the priority risks based on their potential impacts on your activities, costs, access to capital, project acceptability and business value.
• Introducing reliable indicators to measure your progress and guide your decisions.
• Updating your ESG approach based on your activities, your business partners’ expectations and the new risks you are exposed to.

Whether you’re the leader of a mining exploration company, a mine operator or a service provider, it is essential to adopt an approach that reflects your challenges and resources. Our experts can help you determine your priorities and integrate ESG requirements into your business decisions. 

Contact us to schedule a no-obligation exploratory meeting.