Gold mining company DRDGOLD has started self-assessment in line with the World Gold Council (WGC) Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMPs) to determine conformance levels across all DRDGOLD operations.
The self-assessment process started in May, after the company joined the WGC last year. Progress on the alignment of internal systems and processes towards conformance with the RGMPs will be published in the first quarter of next year, DRDGOLD said on June 28.
An external assurance report on the company’s RGMPs conformance is planned for publication in the first quarter of 2026.
In its journey toward RGMPs conformance, DRDGOLD intends to develop and implement policies, systems, processes and controls that are aligned with the RGMPs, as well as disclose information that helps external stakeholders to understand how conformance with the RGMPs is pursued.
DRDGOLD also committed to securing independent assurance over the process to ensure stakeholder confidence and credibility in the process and conclusions.
DRDGOLD also said it aims to disclose instances or events which give rise to a situation of non-conformance and the steps to be taken in response.
The WGC RGMPs are a set of principles that cover all aspects of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues related to gold mining. They provide a credible and widely recognised framework for responsible gold mining and to address the expectations of consumers, investors and the downstream gold supply chain.
The RGMPs were launched in 2019 after extensive consultation with various stakeholders, including governments, international organisations, civil society, supply chain participants and investors.
They are based on internationally recognised benchmarks, such as the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
The RGMPs are intended to support the gold mining industry’s contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to demonstrate its positive impact on society and the environment.
The RGMPs are organised into ten thematic areas, each with a set of principles and performance expectations.