WGM Signs On For UN Global Compact Policy

Mining consultant Watts, Griffis and McOuat has signed on to the United Nations Global Compact, an agreement meant to align businesses with 10 universally accepted principles encompassing human rights, environmental concerns, labour practices and anticorruption.

“WGM is proud to be a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact,” said Joe Hinzer, president of WGM in a release. “By joining the Global Compact, WGM is sending a message to our valued clients that the work our firm does will abide by these globally acceptable business and social principles.”

The Global Compact was established in July 2000 as a voluntary initiative made up of UN agencies, private corporations, non-governmental organizations, and labour and academic institutions.

In addition to promoting a universal set of values, the initiative also acts as a catalyst to help promote other socially and environmentally conscious programs established by the UN, such as the Millennium Development Goals.

WGM is the 60th member of the strategy, which includes miners Barrick Gold (ABX-T, ABX-N), Inmet Mining (IMN-T, IEMMF-O), and Teck (TCK. B-T, TCK-N).

As the commitments are made purely as good-faith agreements, the Global Compact has faced some criticism for acting only as a forum for discussion without the ability to regulate or enforce the established principles.

Founded in 1962, WGM is an independent firm of consulting geologists and engineers active worldwide.