Minerals Council of Australia:
Environment & Social
Companies committing to the Code will be listed on a register maintained by the Code Secretariat. Initially, the Secretariat will be provided by the Minerals Council of Australia.
All mining and minerals processing companies are eligible to become Code signatories, provided they commit to its implementation. Membership of an industry association is not a prerequisite to becoming a signatory. Similarly, being a signatory is not a prerequisite for association membership. State Minerals Councils, Chambers of Mines and other minerals industry associations may associate with the Code.
Signatory companies will use all reasonable endeavours to have the Code Principles applied to operations in which they hold a non-controlling interest.
Companies wishing to commit to the Code will advise the Code Secretariat by letter. Eligible companies will be added to the register which will be published and available for public inspection. Individual companies may choose to publicise their registration.
Implementation of the Code will be evaluated by qualified, externally-accredited auditors from within the signatory company, or by accredited external auditors appointed by the company at least every three years.
Signatories to the Code will produce annual public environmental reports in accordance with the Code's Reporting Principle. The first report is to be prepared within two years of registration.
The reports are expected to demonstrate the company's commitment to, and implementation of the Code and describe its performance in relation to the key Principles.
Companies are to make their annual environmental reports available to the public through their corporate and regional offices. Copies of each report, for public review, are to be lodged with the Code secretariat and in major libraries in jurisdictions within which the company operates.
The Code will be a living document and will continue to be refined and developed. Consultation with stakeholders will continue. The Code will be formally reviewed in 1999, when signatories will be invited to recommit to the Code
