Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX, OTCQX:BLSTF) has completed its first Digbee ESGTM assessment to progress Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals for the development of the Ta Khoa Project in Vietnam.
The company has received a consistent BB score across all three areas of the assessment which include corporate, the Ta Khoa project and the Golden Bridge Project in Canada.
Promisingly, this assessment will assist investors and other stakeholders to understand Blackstone’s ESG strengths and opportunities for improvement as it progresses to becoming a Green NickelTM producer.
Blackstone’s Digbee ESGTM rating
“Elevates attractiveness”
Commenting on the assessment, Blackstone managing director Scott Williamson said: “Since listing on the ASX in January 2017, Blackstone has made good progress in ensuring that ESG is an active and vital component of the company culture.
The Digbee ESG assessment is a further demonstration of our commitment to transparent reporting of our performance and progress as we work to achieve the highest levels of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance and practice across our operations.
“The Ta Khoa Project BB score reflects the actions already taken to engrain ESG into our business DNA.
“Fund managers and project financiers are linking minimum ESG standards and criteria to their overall investment decision making processes.
“The work performed by Blackstone to date as part of the Digbee ESGTM assessment elevates the attractiveness, types and sources of funding that may be available for the Ta Khoa Project.”
About Digbee ESG
Digbee ESG is the industry standard ESG disclosure framework for the mining sector.
It provides mining companies with a right-sized, future-looking set of frameworks against which they can credibly disclose, track, compare and improve their ESG performance.
Digbee ESG has been developed in consultation with mining companies, ESG specialists and capital providers and is endorsed by leading financial institutions, producing mining companies and other industry stakeholders.
Digbee CEO and founder Jamie Strauss said: "Blackstone Minerals’ commitment to implementing effective ESG practice is exemplified by its decision to undertake Digbee's independent and transparent review process, which highlighted the company's areas of existing positive impact in its two very different operations in two very different jurisdictions.
“The Ta Khoa Project in Vietnam has already incorporated many operational design features to enable credentials necessary for “green nickel" and implementation of blockchain will improve traceability of its products.
“The company has acknowledged the challenges it faces in mitigating the negative impacts of development and operations by monitoring and mapping its carbon footprint, investigating alternatives in the refining processes, and proactively engaging the locally affected communities."