What is the TSM standard (Towards Sustainable Mining)?
Towards Sustainable Mining, or TSM, is an internationally recognised voluntary mining industry standard used as a tool to support continuous improvement in responsible mining. The purpose of the TSM standard is to advance sustainable development within the mining sector and to help mining companies manage key environmental and social risks.
The standard was established in 2004 by the Mining Association of Canada. It is the first mining industry standard in the world that requires site level reporting supported by independent external verification. Reporting in accordance with the TSM standard is mandatory for all companies that belong to the organisations implementing it. In Finland, this includes the member companies of the Finnish Mining Association.
How often is the assessment carried out and who verifies it?
Mining companies complete their TSM assessment annually. Independent external verification is conducted every three years by a qualified expert. The purpose of external verification is to ensure the reliability of the assessment and to provide mining companies with recommendations for further improvement.
What is the basis of TSM reporting?
Mining companies assess, monitor, and improve their performance using the nine TSM self-assessment tools. The focus areas and approaches within these tools are adapted to the national context to ensure they are appropriate for the operating environment. The nine self-assessment tools used in Finland can be viewed here (embedded link). Each tool includes defined performance indicators and assessment criteria for each performance level. The levels range from C to AAA, where level C reflects compliance with Finnish legislation.
The self-assessment tools also form the basis for external verification, which takes place every three years. Site specific sustainability performance results are published annually. This reporting allows stakeholders such as investors, customers, and neighbouring communities to follow the performance and progress of individual mining operations.
What self-assessment tools are included in the TSM standard?
In Finland, reporting under the TSM standard is based on nine self-assessment tools that focus on the following themes:
- Stakeholder engagement
- Biodiversity management
- Tailings management
- Water management
- Occupational health and safety
- Crisis management
- Mine closure
- Climate change management
- Equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces (EDI)*
*Companies will complete their first self assessments on this theme in 2026, reporting on the year 2025.
How does the self-assessment tool for exploration differ from the tools used by mining companies?
The exploration self-assessment tool differs from the tools used by operating mines primarily in terms of target audience and the nature of the questions:
- Target audience: Exploration companies are often smaller and operate in an early project phase, while mining companies are more established and work at the production stage.
- Purpose: The exploration tool focuses on basic responsibility expectations, helping companies begin developing responsible practices in a straightforward manner. It is lighter and more practical than the full set of self-assessment tools used under the TSM standard for mining operations.
- Content: The questions focus on topics such as permitting processes, engagement with local communities, and early-stage environmental management. In contrast, the self-assessment tools for mining companies include broader requirements related to production, safety, environmental protection, and socioeconomic responsibilities
How do companies assess their performance using the self-assessment tools?
Each year, companies complete a site level self-assessment based on the nine TSM self-assessment tools. The assessment examines how the site performs across different areas of responsibility and identifies the level at which the site is operating (C, B, A, AA, AAA). A detailed description of the levels can be found here (embedded link). Level C reflects compliance with Finnish legislation. The general expectation is that companies work toward achieving at least level A and strive for continuous improvement.
Each tool includes defined performance indicators and specific assessment criteria for each level from C to AAA. Assessors determine the level that best represents the site’s performance by answering the checklist questions. It is recommended that the assessment involves interviews, discussions, and document reviews, and that representatives from the site or production facility management, as well as production and expert personnel, participate in the evaluation.
Each performance indicator must be assigned one level only, based on all requirements being met for that level and all levels below it. Partial or intermediate ratings, such as B plus, are not used. The tools therefore build performance assessment around precise indicators and clearly defined criteria. The performance indicators are structured around specific criteria, and for each criterion, its purpose and the requirements for levels C through AAA are clearly specified.
External verification is carried out every three years by a qualified independent expert, adding credibility and transparency to the reported information. Site specific results are published annually on the kaivosvastuu.fi website.
How is credibility and transparency of the TSM standard ensured?
To ensure credibility and transparency of TSM, several stages are in place to confirm that published TSM results provide an accurate picture of each company’s management systems and performance. Overall, TSM reporting and verification are based on the following processes:
- Self assessment: Mining companies assess their performance annually using the nine TSM self-assessment tools. Results are published each year on the website for public access.
- External verification: Every three years, an independent, trained, and accredited verifier reviews the self-assessments and may change ratings if they are not supported by sufficient evidence.
- Management confirmation: In the year of external verification, the company’s leadership provides a statement published alongside the results confirming that the verification was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the TSM standard.
Why has the TSM standard been adopted in Finland?
The TSM standard was adopted in Finland to provide a common and transparent method to assess and improve responsible mining practices. The standard is internationally recognised and increasingly used across mining jurisdictions. It also incorporates national and regional requirements through the development of self-assessment tools that reflect local conditions.
TSM reporting enhances transparency and demonstrates that mining companies acknowledge and respond to societal and environmental expectations. Credibility is strengthened through the external verification carried out every three years by an independent accredited verifier.
The TSM standard offers mining companies clear themes, performance indicators, criteria, and rating levels for assessing responsibility, including climate change management, water management, and stakeholder engagement. The consistent reporting structure reduces uncertainty around sustainability practices across the sector. The principle of continuous improvement emphasises responsible management throughout the full life cycle of mining operations.
Where can I find site level TSM reports for Finland?
Site specific TSM results are published annually at kaivosvastuu.fi. The reports can be accessed here (embedded link). The site includes company specific results, assessment levels, and management confirmations for verified years (final wording to be adjusted depending on the content of the reporting page).
Learn more about the TSM standard:
More information on the origins and principles of the TSM standard is available in English on the Canadian TSM website: https://mining.ca/towards-sustainable-mining/. The site includes the comprehensive TSM Primer, which summarises the purpose of the standard, its implementation, and its key principles. The Primer also outlines the requirements for adopting the TSM standard at the national level. While some content reflects the Canadian context, the materials provide broadly applicable information relevant to all countries using the TSM standard.