Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) is an advocacy group that advocates for regulating the mining industry to respect “human rights,” “fair labor,” and “cultural heritage.”  ¹ One of Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance’s main publications is its “Standard for Responsible Mining,” a document outlining protocols it claims will lead to “responsible sourcing” of materials as well as “address the climate crisis and create a more sustainable future.”  ²

In 2023, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance received a three-year unrestricted $600,000 grant from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations. ³

Activities

One of Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance’s main publications is its “Standard for Responsible Mining,” a document officially published in June 2018. The document provides guidelines that the group claims mining companies should follow to improve the industry’s standards. Such examples listed include human rights diligence, payment transparency, resettlement of property due to mining, fair labor rights, and “environmental responsibility requirements.” ²

In December 2014, Human Rights Watch (HRW) announced that it had received a draft from IRMA of its Standards with a request to review it and submit suggestions. ⁴ HRW provided several comments and recommendations on the draft regarding issues such as child labor and human rights. Such proposals offered included recommendations for fees and punishments mining companies should face if they have been found guilty of violating labor rights established by the International Labor Organization (ILO). ⁵

In 2010, IRMA standards for mining companies were endorsed by environmentalist group Earthworks after a convening of the groups along with several labor unions, community organizations, and NGOs meeting to advocate for “responsible” mining practices. ⁶

In 2022, IRMA reported spending $76,228 on conference travel expenses and programs, $34,800 in North America on program services, $8,745 in South America on program services, and $10,897 in sub-Saharan Africa on conference travel and programs. ⁷

Financials

In 2022, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance reported a total revenue of $1,150,997, total expenses of $943,932 and net assets of $401,343. ⁸

Funding

According to its website, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance claims that roughly two-thirds of its revenue comes from private foundations and governments. ⁹

In 2023, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance received a three-year unrestricted $600,000 grant from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations. ³

In 2024, IMRA reported that it had received donations from several left-of-center groups including Waverley Street Foundation, USAID and its JET Minerals Challenge, Tortuga Foundation, Microsoft Corporation, ISEAL Innovations Fund, GIZ-MinSus, the Ford Foundation, ClimateWorks Foundation, Anglo American, and the 11th Hour Project / Schmidt Family Foundation. ⁹

Leadership

Aimee Boulanger is the executive director of Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance as of 2024. According to the group website, she previously worked as a program director and executive director for several organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) focused on “children’s environmental health and women’s leadership.”  ¹⁰

1. Standards.” Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://responsiblemining.net/what-we-do/standard/
2. “IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining – June 2018.” Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, June 2018. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://responsiblemining.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/IRMA_STANDARD_v.1.0_FINAL_2018-1.pdf.
3. “Awarded Grants – Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=Initiative+for+Responsible+Mining+Assurance.
4. “Standard for Responsible Mining Draft v1.0 – July 2014.” Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, July 2014. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://responsiblemining.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IRMA_Standard_Draft_v1.007-14.pdf.
5. “HRW Submission to the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA).” Human Rights Watch, December 2014. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/01/14/hrw-submission-initiative-responsible-mining-assurance-irma?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3624BhBAEiwAkxgTOgrfUyr5nJdXSKcpLJie6BCvBBr9SCXPpkGGSwEeUaTbRrcoYoqPSRoCFLEQAvD_BwE.
6. “The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance.” Earthworks. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://earthworks.org/issues/the-initiative-for-responsible-mining-assurance/.
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Initiative for Responsible Mining. 2022. Schedule F, Part I – General Information on Activities Outside the United States.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Initiative for Responsible Mining. 2022. Part I, lines 12, 18, 22.
9. “Funding and Finances.” Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://responsiblemining.net/about/funding/.
10. “Team.” Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://responsiblemining.net/about/team/.