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Professional Certificate

ESG & Social Responsibility

Course commences 16 October 2023

40
PD Hours
Professional Certificate

ESG & Social Responsibility

Course commences 16 October 2023

40
PD Hours

Environment, social and governance performance in the resources sector

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Quick facts

Duration Delivery Course Type NEXT Intake PD Hours Language
40 hours 
8 weeks
100% online
Professional
Certificate
16 October 2023
Up to 40
English

 

Course overview

Learn how to minimise ESG-related harm and maximise value to resource enterprises, affected stakeholders and broader society.

Examine environment, social and governance performance and social responsibility (ESG/SR) through critical thinking and authentic resource sector experience.

Prominence will be given to evaluating ESG/SR risk, threats and opportunities, and to developing workplace responses, execution, assurance and performance reporting.

The course and case studies will be global in scope and will equip course participants with an understanding of existing and emerging ESG/SR societal and lender expectations in resource sector exploration, development, operating and closure contexts. Participants will gain enough knowledge and skills to know how to apply ESG/SR requirements in their own workplace.

 

Course pricing

A discount of 10% is available for groups of 3 or more participants from the same organisation who enrol for the same course intake in a single booking. This discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
Member
$2,519
Price is inclusive of 10% GST
Associate membership and enrolment bundle
$2,752
Price is inclusive of 10% GST
Non-member
$3,289
Price is inclusive of 10% GST
Group training
Have questions around group bookings?
Enquire now

Enrolments now open

Course commences 16 October

Earn digital credentials

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Verify your new skills and knowledge with a digital badge that you can add to your LinkedIn profile, email signature, intranet, or any other online account.

Your badge links to a detailed outline of the course, showcasing and validating your new skills in a format that employers and colleagues can easily access and trust.

Who should attend?

Asset-level front-line leaders across all mining functions
Understand ESG compliance, reporting requirements and impacts on day-to-day operations.

Consultants across all disciplines
Understand ESG compliance and reporting requirements for clients.

Corporate and investment-related professionals in the resources sector  
Improve ESG analysis, performance and assurance review.

Learning objectives

  • Describe the history of sustainable development and how it has evolved into present day ESG/SR expectations
  • Explain how ESG expectations translate into Environment and Social Performance requirements of resource sector enterprises
  • Reference global ESG-related Principles, Standards, Goals and Guidelines as they relate to resource sector enterprises
  • Describe examples of enterprise ESG governance control systems and procedures
  • Define and participate in ESG-related risk, materiality and gap assessments
  • Contribute to ESG-related strategy and action planning, particularly at asset level
  • Describe the role of ethics in decision making and the existence of moral dilemmas
  • Describe the importance of transparent ESG monitoring and reporting

Course structure

The eight-week course consists of six modules over six weeks, with a final two weeks to complete all course components. Each module consists of:

  • Live interactive virtual classrooms
  • Interactive learning activities and group discussions
  • Multiple choice questions
  • Additional readings and case studies

There will be two assessments to complete as part of the course. Access to the assessments will be available at the end of week 1 allowing participants to work progressively on the questions as they work their way through the course. The first assessment will be due for submission at the end of week 6; and the second assessment will be due for submission at the end of the course (end of week 8). 

Live sessions are recorded and available within 24 hours for participants who are unable to attend.

Module 1

ESG, Social Responsibility and Society

Virtual Classroom:
Wednesday 18 October
11:30-13:30 AEDT

Module 2

ESG and Social Responsibility Analysis Methods 1

Virtual Classroom:
Wednesday 25 October
11:30-13:30 AEDT

Module 3

ESG and Social Responsibility Analysis Methods 2

Virtual Classroom:
Wednesday 1 November
11:30-13:30 AEDT

Module 4

Operationalising ESG and Social Responsibility

Virtual Classroom:
Wednesday 8 November
11:30-13:30 AEDT

Module 5

ESG Global Principles, Standards, Measurement, Assurance and Reporting

Virtual Classroom:
Wednesday 15 November
11:30-13:30 AEDT

Module 6

A Deeper Look at some ESG and Social Responsibility Themes

Virtual Classroom:
Wednesday 22 November
11:30-13:30 AEDT

Download the course brochure

Professional Certificate in ESG and Social Responsibility

Course facilitators

All programs have been developed in consultation with leading organisations in the mining industry, subject matter experts and community leaders to ensure you gain the latest knowledge and develop relevant skills to accelerate your career.

Bruce Harvey

FAusIMM(CP)
Geologist, Social Performance Professional
Bruce has over 40 years of worldwide field experience in the resources sector and for 25 years has been at the forefront of developing social performance as a professional discipline and enterprise value contributor. Bruce was Global Practice Leader in Social Performance at a global resources company and has worked with clients at many diverse locations around the globe, advising on social performance and ESG management systems and development consent agreements.

Bruce works directly with resource sector clients, is an Adjunct Professor at the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland, and a Guest Lecturer delivering ‘ESG - Leading Sustainable Enterprises’ at the University of Otago (NZ) MBA School. He is the Chair of the AusIMM ESG-Social Responsibility Committee which recently produced the Institute’s ESG-aligned ‘Social Responsibility Framework’ and Chartered Professional criteria for Social Performance practitioners.

Janina Gawler

FAusIMM
Director, RST Solutions for Community Engagement
Janina Gawler is an applied social scientist and consultant specialising in the design and delivery of resilient, sustainable and trusted partnerships between communities and developers. She has over thirty years senior executive experience working with corporations and governments on sustainability and social performance. During her fifteen-year career with Rio Tinto she was Vice President for Communities and Social Performance and global practice leader establishing Rio Tinto’s social performance standard and related audit program.

Building effective partnerships with communities has been her career focus. Her work has included development of resettlement programs for emerging economies in Africa. She has negotiated land access with Indigenous people across Australia and developed strategies for engagement with First Nations and Indigenous people in Canada and USA, respecting and recognising Indigenous rights and working with mining companies to ensure continuing social licence to operate. A former CEO of the Australian National Training Authority. Janina was also Mayor and Councillor of the City of Echuca.

Alan Irving

FAusIMM
Principal Environmental Consultant, Alan Irving and Associates
Alan Irving (FAusIMM CP(Env) has had a long career in the mining industry since starting out as a forester working in mine rehabilitation. He has worked on-site in coal operations (Queensland and Indonesia) and copper/gold operations (Western Australia and Indonesia). He later specialised in environmental impact assessment and feasibility studies and is now an independent environmental consultant. He has worked on projects in Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, Paraguay, Brazil, Mozambique, Mongolia, UAE, New Caledonia and Australia.

Dr Geraldine McGuire

FAusIMM
Managing Director, Sustainable Solutions Global
Dr Geraldine McGuire has worked on transformative projects throughout Australia, Asia and the Pacific developing solutions which balance economic, environmental, and social aspects to achieve enduring outcomes. With over 30 years of experience in the mining industry, Geraldine is competent in managing complex project closure, repurposing and approvals processes, leading impact assessments and undertaking stakeholder engagement, community development, environmental management, auditing, gender analysis and workshop facilitation involving large teams of industry professionals, government representatives, community residents and Indigenous peoples. Geraldine is committed to the empowerment of Indigenous groups and poverty alleviation in rural communities through effective development and sound environmental management. She believes in capacity building of minority groups through transparent, humane and gender balanced practices.

Geoff Deans

MAusIMM
Director, Modifying Factors
Geoff Deans has worked in all phases of resource development - exploration, projects, corporate and operation. His roles have included Project Director, Expansion and Growth for the OZ Minerals Carrapateena Block Cave Mine Expansion located in South Australia and the inaugural Group Manager Social Performance for OZ Minerals and led the company’s approach to social performance and sustainability. Geoff was also Principal Advisor Land Access for the development and construction of Carrapateena Mine the 275km Hill to Hill power transitions line.

Geoff holds an MBA from the University of South Australia, a Masters of Community Relations for the Resources Sector from University of Queensland, a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact Assessment from Macquarie University, a Bachelor of Education from Flinders University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also an AusIMM Chartered Professional for Social Performance and a board member of Indigenous Education and Boarding Australia (IEBA).

Narelle Wolfe

MAusIMM
Head of Sustainability & ESG, AusIMM
Narelle is a long-term advocate for the importance of the ESG and SR function in delivering results and enhancing value for the mining sector for over 25 years. She is passionate about empowering teams and bringing rigour to the function by her strategic approach and building the capability of practitioners and organisations to reduce impact and maximise benefits.
Her experience extends from operational to corporate for both large and mid-tier companies exposing her to several commodity types, business models and development approaches in variety of complex jurisdictions. Narelle has developed and driven strategies, systems and processes that assess, lift, monitor and report on internal and external performance. Her knowledge combined with a hands-on technical background and collaborative approach has informed development, built partnerships, guided research, established enduring relationships, provided innovative solutions, and delivered integrated sustainable outcomes.

Course content has been guided by the AusIMM ESG and
Social & Environment Committees, with special thanks to:

Mark Noppe

FAusIMM(CP)
Director of WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre
Mark is a geoscientist with over 30 years’ mining industry experience in exploration, mining geology, practical geostatistical applications, resource estimation and reporting, mine reconciliation, feasibility studies, technical audits and due diligence. Mark has worked in South Africa, Western Australia and Queensland as a geologist and consultant and provides advice, training and mentoring in all aspects of orebody knowledge. His technical experience covers a wide range of projects, geological and mining settings, and commodities, including bauxite, diamonds, coal, copper, cobalt, iron ore & magnetite, lead-zinc, sulphide and laterite nickel, niobium, potash, phosphate, PGE and gold projects in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Mali, Tanzania, UK, Indonesia, China, Canada, Chile, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Far East.

The course is a great initiative. I found it extremely valuable. It allows to step back and put the resource industry in a different perspective which is essential in today's world. On several aspects, it was an eye opening experience. The course is rich and of high quality with plenty of references and resources to deepen our knowledge. I especially enjoyed the case studies which illustrate very well the type of issues that can be encountered in the resource sector. Overall, it gives an excellent base to help understand and address ESG-related issues.

Participant of August 2021 intake

Frequently asked questions

The course will be run entirely online via a cloud-based platform which can be accessed via computer, tablet or phone. Participants will simply need to have a working Internet connection and a computer, tablet or phone with sound to access the course. They will not be required to download any software and will not require any hardware like a webcam or microphone.

The entire course will run over eight weeks (six modules over six weeks plus another two weeks to finish all course components). It is expected that participants will take about 40 hours to finish the entire course. This includes attendance at live virtual classrooms and completion of all learning activities.

Yes, it is a requirement for participants to complete all modules and pass all learning activities, including the final assessment. A professional certificate will be awarded upon successful completion.

We aim to run two to three intakes each year.

Unfortunately no, the course must be completed in its entirety.

No, the course is currently delivered in English only. We are looking at delivering the course in other languages in the near future.

Participants can earn professional development (PD) hours for undertaking the course. One contact hour of technical content is equivalent to one PD hour.

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