Social Performance and Engagement
Overview
MMG mine for progress: progress for people, host communities, and the countries in which we operate. Social performance means listening, respecting, and working in partnership to create lasting benefits. It’s about building trust, supporting development and ensuring that all operations contribute positively to society.
Our commitment
MMG aims to be a trusted partner wherever we operate. That means being inclusive, responsive, and transparent in everything we do. The Company recognises the vital role mining operations play in supporting local economies and livelihoods, and ensures benefits are shared fairly. MMG’s approach is guided by global standards, including the ICMM Mining Principles, and reflects our commitment to respect human rights and cultural heritage.
Listening and engaging
Meaningful engagement is at the heart of our approach. From exploration through to closure, we talk with communities, governments, and stakeholders to understand their priorities and concerns. Every MMG site has a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, updated annually, that sets out how we communicate, gather feedback, and respond to issues. These plans include community meetings, digital tools, and multilingual channels to make sure everyone can participate.
For Indigenous peoples, we follow the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). This means engaging early, sharing clear information, and respecting decisions. By listening first and acting collaboratively, we build trust and reduce risks for everyone.
Supporting social development
Mining can be a catalyst for development, and we want that impact to be positive and lasting. Our operations contribute through taxes, royalties, wages, and local procurement. We also invest directly in community projects, including support for schools, health facilities, water systems, and livelihood programs, all co-designed and implemented in partnership with local stakeholders. These projects align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on poverty reduction, education, health, and clean water.
Our Social Investment Framework ensures projects reflect community priorities and deliver long-term benefits. Whether it’s improving access to healthcare or supporting small businesses, we aim to strengthen resilience and create opportunities that last beyond mining.
Jobs and skills for the future
Employment is one of the most important benefits we can offer. We prioritise hiring locally and provide training to help people build skills for the future. Our workforce development programs focus on diversity and inclusion, creating pathways for women and young people to enter the mining sector. By building technical and leadership skills, we help communities prepare for life after mining and support sustainable livelihoods.
Growing local businesses
Strong local economies depend on thriving local businesses. MMG works with suppliers to help them meet our standards in safety, environment, and social responsibility. We provide training, mentoring, and sometimes access to finance so local companies can grow and diversify. This approach not only strengthens supply chains but also creates jobs and economic opportunities in the regions where we operate.
Handling concerns fairly
Open dialogue is essential. All MMG sites have culturally appropriate grievance mechanisms aligned with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and ICMM guidance. These processes provide timely, non-judicial remedies for issues related to MMG’s impacts, conduct of personnel, and human rights allegations. These systems allow community members to directly raise concerns about our impacts or the behaviour of our people without fear of retaliation. We also conduct audits and community satisfaction surveys to assess effectiveness and drive improvement.
Respecting cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is an important part of identity and history for the host communities and Traditional Owners of the land we work on. We work closely with communities and Indigenous peoples to identify and protect cultural sites and traditions. This includes archaeological sites, historical buildings, and intangible heritage such as languages, rituals, and traditional knowledge. Cultural Heritage Management Plans set out clear protocols for chance finds, consultation, and cultural awareness training for employees and contractors.
We do not operate within UNESCO World Heritage properties and comply with all regulations near protected areas. By respecting culture, we help preserve heritage for future generations while building stronger relationships with communities.
Managing resettlement responsibly
Sometimes, land access requires relocation. We know this can have significant social and economic impacts, so we approach resettlement with care. We prioritise early engagement, transparent planning, livelihood restoration and FPIC. We work with experienced practitioners and local authorities to minimise disruption and provide resources to help affected families. Where displacement cannot be avoided, we monitor outcomes to ensure quality of life is restored, and ideally improved.
Continuous improvement
Social performance is an ongoing journey. MMG is committed to accountability and continuous improvement. We engage independent third parties to validate our social performance data, systems, and outcomes against international standards. Site-level audits, stakeholder interviews, and reviews of grievance and cultural heritage processes help ensure integrity and identify opportunities for improvement. We participate in voluntary ESG benchmarking and sector-specific assessments to maintain leadership in social responsibility.
