Broad Community Support (BCS)

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Telework: From Necessity to Competitive Advantage

When moving from London to Wausau and providing independent ESRM, ESG and ISDS advisor services on projects based in places like Burkina Faso, Ecuador or Venezuela, teleworking seemed like a necessity. Today, lower overhead costs and recent pandemics suggest that the tacit knowledge gained, the robust network of international experts developed, and proven ability to effectively lead and work remotely have become a competitive advantage. We stand ready to support you and your projects to become more bankable, credible and sustainable.

Mehrdad Nazari March 28, 2020 ESG, IESC, Independent Engineer, ISDS, SLO, Social License to Operate Artisanal Mining, Assurance, Biodiversity, Broad Community Support (BCS), Canadian CSR Strategy for International Extractives, Disputes and Arbitration, Equator Principles, European Bank (EBRD) Performance Requirements, General, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting, Human Rights, IFC Performance Standards, Independent Accountability, Mining, Renewable Energy, Social License to Operate (SLO), UN SDGs Comments Off

Growing Role of Social License in Investor-State Disputes

At a recent White & Case seminar during PDAC’s 2020 mining convention, I was invited to answer four questions about “Social License to Operate” in the context of due diligence and international arbitration. What did I miss?

Mehrdad Nazari March 26, 2020 creeping expropriation, Expert Witness, ICSID, Investor-State Dispute Settlement, ISDS, Mining, SLO, Social License to Operate Assurance, Broad Community Support (BCS), Disputes and Arbitration, General, Independent Accountability, Mining, Social License to Operate (SLO) 2 Comments »

Rare Natural or Lab-grown Synthetic Diamonds?

As we ascend the iconic Diamond Head, the 300,000-year-old volcanic cone on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu, Don Proebstel and I continue discussing the sustainability nexus of innovation in the renewable energy sector and diamond mining. As we work our way to the top of the structures added in 1908 as part of the island’s coastal defense system, we come back to this question: What will be the sustainability drivers of a diamond’s journey from mine - or lab - to finger?

Mehrdad Nazari May 18, 2019 Assurance, Broad Community Support (BCS), General, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting, Mining, Postcards Comments Off

UN SDGs: Blue-washing or Sustainability Drivers?

I am always inspired when attending IFC’s Sustainability Exchanges. At the 2018 IFC Sustainability Exchange: Building Resilience, Sparking Creativity, I found myself gravitating to a session on Operationalizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I was curious to learn if the SDGs were being viewed as a repackaging exercise, an engagement and co-branding opportunity, or as drivers to move the needle towards more sustainable investing and development.

Mehrdad Nazari April 25, 2019 Corporate Responsibility, Disputes, ESG, International Arbitration, ISDS, SDG, Social License to Operate Broad Community Support (BCS), Disputes and Arbitration, Equator Principles, General, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting, Human Rights, Independent Accountability, Mining, Oil and Gas, Postcards, Social License to Operate (SLO), UN SDGs Comments Off

How my GRI reporting journey started in Venezuela’s jungles a decade ago

As I was updating Prizma's sustainability reporting experience on CorporateRegister.com (now clocking 28 assignments), I was reminded of how it all started about a decade ago while working on an ESIA involving a large-scale mining project in the jungles of Venezuela. Read More

Mehrdad Nazari June 24, 2017 ASM, ESIA, GRI, Sustainability Reporting, Venezuela Artisanal Mining, Biodiversity, Broad Community Support (BCS), Disputes and Arbitration, Equator Principles, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting, IFC Performance Standards, Mining, Postcards, Social License to Operate (SLO) Comments Off

Attending IFC Sustainability Exchange 2017 in Cartagena

After attending IFC’s flagship annual Sustainability Exchange in 2016 , I was pleased to be invited once more to attend the upcoming IFC 2017 Sustainability Exchange which – for the first time – will not be held in IFC’s HQ in Washington DC. It will be interesting to see how this format change may engage a new set of stakeholders, create new angles and insights, and further leverage knowledge sharing. Read More

Mehrdad Nazari May 30, 2017 International Arbitration, SLO, Social License to Operate Broad Community Support (BCS), Disputes and Arbitration, Equator Principles, General, IFC Performance Standards, Mining, Oil and Gas, Postcards, Social License to Operate (SLO) Comments Off

Lucara Diamond and Lundin Mining in Corporate Knights’ Top 40 List

While contributing to an Independent Monitoring Group review of a gold mining development in Burkina Faso (an inspiring meeting with a women association is depicted above), I was pleased to read that two of Prizma’s Canadian-listed mining clients, Lucara Diamond and Lundin Mining detailed below, made it to Corporate Knights’ 2016 Top 40 list of mid-sized Canadian companies.

Mehrdad Nazari May 1, 2016 LMC, LUC Broad Community Support (BCS), Canadian CSR Strategy for International Extractives, Equator Principles, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting, IFC Performance Standards, Mining Comments Off

Sustainability Reporting Workshop in Kenya

Prizma was recently engaged to facilitate a workshop on sustainability reporting for an independent oil exploration and development company with assets in the East African rift basin system. The tailored workshop was attended by champions representing a variety of disciplines, regions and stakeholders. It also provided an opportunity to take some time off and visit the Nairobi National Park and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which rears orphaned elephants and rhinos.

Mehrdad Nazari April 26, 2016 Biodiversity, Broad Community Support (BCS), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting, Oil and Gas, Postcards Comments Off

Venezuela MOU paving way for largest gold mine?

Last week (Feb 2016), I had the opportunity to travel to Caracas and witness a new chapter in the development of Gold Reserve Inc's Brisas Gold Project: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Venezuela during an event hosted at Venezuela’s Central Bank (depicted below). Shortlink: http://wp.me/p27qSt-Pa Read More

Mehrdad Nazari March 3, 2016 Artisanal Mining, Broad Community Support (BCS), Canadian CSR Strategy for International Extractives, Equator Principles, IFC Performance Standards, Mining Comments Off

Completed Assurance Engagement for Lundin Mining

Prizma recently completed an independent third party assurance engagement for Lundin Mining, a mid-tier base metals producer with operating assets in Europe, USA and Chile, relating to the sustainability information in its 2014 sustainability report. Shortlink: http://wp.me/p27qSt-LC

Mehrdad Nazari July 7, 2015 Assurance, Broad Community Support (BCS), Canadian CSR Strategy for International Extractives, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting, Independent Accountability, Mining Comments Off

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