Sustainable Mining at ICL Iberia (Iberpotash)

These standards represent a management system promoted by the Spanish mining sector and approved and regulated by the Spanish Standardization Body. Spain is the first European country to adopt these standards, called TSM (Towards Sustainable Mining), promoted by the Canadian mining sector, MAC, a global leader. The Spanish mining sector reached an agreement to apply it as well.

TSM requires mining companies to annually assess their facilities’ performance in key areas, including tailings management, community outreach, safety and health, biodiversity conservation, crisis management, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions management, and the prevention of child and forced labour. The results are freely available to the public and are externally verified every three years to ensure the accuracy of reporting.

As a result, ICL has become the first large-scale, underground mining company of non-arid minerals in Spain and Europe certified in Sustainable Mining for all of its activities. 

This new management system is based on a number of criteria for the sustainability of the extractive industry, such as security of supply for meeting demand; the efficient use of natural resources; the implementation of measures to promote and improve the safety and satisfaction of workers; the contribution to the economic and social development of society; the rehabilitation of the affected natural space; or the application of the best available techniques in the integrated prevention and control of pollution, as well as in waste management.

ICL Iberia has been working on a sustainable mining model for years. That effort has culminated with this certification. The company can advance its major industrial project and enter its final phase thanks to the agreement with the ACA for the construction of a new brine collector. In addition, the ramp to the Cabanasses mine, 5.2 kilometres long, which will allow access to the 900 meter deep mine is also ready. This will significantly decrease truck transport, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. The ramp will also facilitate improved safety and ventilation conditions.