The Eramet Grande Côte (EGC) site, a subsidiary of the Eramet Group specializing in mineral sands mining in Senegal, has achieved IRMA 50 performance level following its first external audit, thus becoming the first site in the Group to be audited according to the IRMA standard. The official presentation of the results of this Responsible Mining Assurance Initiative (IRMA) audit of Eramet Grande Côte took place on Thursday, February 5, 2026, in Dakar. The meeting was attended by the Managing Director of Eramet Grande Côte, Mr. Frédéric Zanklan; the Chairman of the National Committee of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (CN-EITI) Senegal, Mr. Thialy Faye; the Director of Sustainable Development, Ms. Marianne Ngom; members of the press; and others.

EGC is now one of 14 mining sites worldwide to have undergone an IRMA performance assessment

This assessment is part of the Eramet Group's voluntary commitment, launched in 2022 through its CSR roadmap, "Act for Positive Mining," and is based on an independent external audit confirming the robustness of the site's environmental, social, and governance practices. Eramet Grande Côte thus becomes: the first Eramet Group site audited according to the IRMA standard, a global benchmark for responsible mining; the first site audited according to the IRMA standard in Senegal; and the first mineral sands site in the world to achieve this level. It is now one of only 14 mining sites worldwide to have undergone an IRMA performance assessment.

Solid results across all pillars of the IRMA standard

The audit of the Eramet Grande Côte site highlights a solid foundation of environmental, social, and governance practices, with performance levels as follows: business integrity (governance, transparency, and ethical practices): 74%; positive legacy planning: 67%; social responsibility: 74%; and environmental responsibility: 67%. These results demonstrate robust practices while also identifying areas for improvement, which have been addressed in dedicated action plans.

An audit approach based on transparency

Eramet's IRMA approach is voluntary and based on an independent external assessment, accompanied by the full publication of the audit report. This choice reflects a strong commitment to transparency regarding site practices and to structuring a continuous improvement process. In accordance with the requirements of the IRMA standard, this audit will be supplemented by follow-up audits conducted every 18 months to verify that the achieved level is maintained. The results will continue to be made publicly available, free of charge, on the IRMA website as well as the Eramet Grande Côte website, for all stakeholders.

"This result is fully in line with the policies pursued by the State of Senegal."

According to Frédéric Zanklan, Managing Director of Eramet Grande Côte, this result aligns with the objectives set by the Senegalese government. “Eramet Grande Côte is the first mine in West Africa to achieve IRMA level certification. This IRMA 50 result marks a significant milestone for EGC, its teams, and the local communities. It is fully in line with the objectives set by the Senegalese government, which aim to make the mining sector a driver of economic sovereignty, local value creation, and responsible development, based on high standards of transparency and good governance,” emphasized Frédéric Zanklan.

He adds: "Through this demanding audit, we reaffirm our commitment to continuously strengthen our practices and to integrate our operations into a dynamic of long-term value creation, in close collaboration with local stakeholders and in full consistency with the Eramet Group's Act for Positive Mining vision."

IRMA, a benchmark for responsible mining

The IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining was developed following an extensive public consultation process involving more than 100 organizations and stakeholders: NGOs, trade unions, communities, mining companies, customers, and end users of mineral products. Recognized as one of the most comprehensive and demanding assessment frameworks in the industry, the IRMA standard distinguishes four performance levels: IRMA Transparency, IRMA 50, IRMA 75, and IRMA 100. These levels represent progressive compliance with a set of critical requirements and the achievement of a minimum score of 50%, 75%, or 100% in each of the standard's four main pillars: social responsibility, environmental responsibility, business integrity, and planning for a positive long-term legacy.

Areas for improvement identified with a view to a sustainable improvement in performance

Through the IRMA audit, Eramet Grande Côte identified several areas for improvement aimed at further strengthening its performance and its impact on the local communities. According to its CEO, these findings are part of a continuous improvement approach, supported by the development of dedicated action plans.

Here, priorities include consolidating good practices and optimizing stakeholder engagement, strengthening the effectiveness of the complaints management mechanism, improving the monitoring of resettlement processes, and improving the control of water quality and volumes, including analyzing any overruns and implementing appropriate actions.

IRMA: an international multi-stakeholder organization

IRMA is an international multi-stakeholder organization comprising non-governmental organizations, mining companies, investors, trade unions, and community representatives. It has developed a demanding framework defining international standards for responsible mining. The IRMA audit provides an independent assessment of the environmental, social, and governance performance of mining sites.