accountable MINING
business integrity
Business integrity
Companies can catalyse change through their anti-corruption and business integrity policies, procedures and practices.
To do so, mining companies must get things right from the start. This means implementing robust and effective anti-corruption procedures when seeking to secure mining licences and permits or to invest in or acquire an existing project.
Mining companies, industry associations, investors and professional advisors like lawyers and impact assessors have a key role to play in rejecting and preventing corrupt behaviour in the mining sector. High industry standards can also have a positive, demand-side effect that encourages government reform for enhanced anti-corruption, transparency and accountability in the licensing process.
Feature
New report
Business integrity is an integral part of responsible business. In a new publication, available in English and Spanish, we have brought together five key lessons for business integrity in the mining sector.

Why we focus on licensing
The licensing phase of a mining project is particularly susceptible to corruption. A quarter of all corruption cases in the oil, gas and mining sectors globally arise at the very start of those extractive projects. Corruption affects project viability, the company’s reputation and relationships with investors and business partners.
At a time when social licence to operate is regarded as the top business risk facing the mining industry, having effective systems in place to detect, prevent and manage corruption risks is a business imperative both to ensure compliance with applicable laws and because it is good for business.
Who we work with
We work with mining companies of all sizes to improve business integrity standards and practices – from junior to mid-tier to major companies. We engage with national mining associations and global bodies and investors. We have presented at and alongside the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne, and PDAC in Toronto.
Together with our partners at the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), World Economic Forum and EITI, we bring together companies to discuss emerging business integrity issues. We are connecting our local partners in more than 20 countries with mining companies. Get in touch to learn more.


Responsible Mining Business Integrity Tool
This online and interactive self-assessment tool helps mining companies evaluate and strengthen their anti-corruption controls and procedures with a focus on project licensing, permitting and acquisitions. Also available in Spanish.
Features of the tool:
- Unique user account to complete the assessment over time
- Indicators based on close to 40 existing international best practices standards and frameworks
- Assessment of both the design and effectiveness of anti-corruption policies
- Customised report with results and recommendations identifying areas for improvement and key strengths to highlight to external stakeholders
Anti-Corruption Guide for Junior Mining Companies
Transparency International’s Anti-Corruption Guide for Junior Mining Companies is designed to help smaller mining companies understand and manage corruption risks during licensing and permitting in high-risk jurisdictions.
The guide features:
- Guidance on five high-risk situations
- Practical scenarios, red flags and actions
- A list of anti-corruption policies and procedures
- Recommended resources and sample materials
