The outlines, developed by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), will work in conjunction with the country’s Gestión Minero Metalúrgica Sostenible (GMMS) standard and add the elements of the programme – including external verification of site-level performance as well as the establishment of an independent community of interest advisory panel to oversee the programme.

CONFEDEM said it will tailor performance areas to mirror the country’s mining sector but that the aspects will closely align with Canada’s.

Spain is the fifth national mining association to adopt the TSM initiative launched in 2004; it joins Finland, Argentina, Botswana and the Philippines.

Implementation of the TSM programme is mandatory for all MAC members' Canadian operations, though many members also apply it voluntarily for their respective international sites. Some key areas assessed by the outlines: 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.