EDINBURGH/SEATTLE14 Oct 2024 – Stewart Investors, an active long-only equity specialist and a global leader in sustainable investing, has become the first investment management firm to become a member of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), an organization addressing the global demand for more socially and environmentally responsible mining.

With a global presence, IRMA’s members include both civil society and corporate entities from across the globe, representing the mining industry, consumer-facing brands, labor unions, NGOs, and mining-impacted communities, including Indigenous rights holders. Board members include: Anglo American, Mercedes-Benz, Human Rights Watch, IndustriALL Global Union, Batani Foundation, and Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA).

As the first investment firm to become a member of IRMA, Stewart Investors joins a network of nearly 100 members committed to a common vision: a world where the mining industry respects the human rights and aspirations of affected communities, provides safe, healthy and supportive workplaces, minimizes harm to the environment, and leaves positive legacies.

"Stewart Investors is strongly aligned with IRMA’s mission and looks forward to continuing to learn from its expertise as the first investment manager to become a member. Responsible mineral sourcing is a strategic imperative for companies and investors across sectors, and we see membership and collaboration with IRMA as an exciting opportunity to bring stakeholders together and leverage collective action to drive progress," said Chris McGoldrick, Senior Investment Analyst, Stewart Investors.

Stewart Investors became involved with responsible mineral sourcing in 2020 when discussions with companies, particularly in the electronics sector, led the investment team to commission research on conflict minerals in the semiconductor supply chain. Since then, Stewart Investors has engaged with over 30 companies on the issue and led an ongoing collaborative engagement initiative with over 160 investor supporters representing US$6.59 trillion of assets under management1 to encourage best practices in mineral due diligence and disclosure.   

“We welcome Stewart Investors as the first investment manager in IRMA’s membership. Its team has already taken an active leadership role in the industry, leveraging a broad investor network to advocate for more responsible mining. This membership signals that investors are adding their voice to the chorus of consumer-facing brands encouraging mining companies to assess through IRMA. We commend the firm’s engagement and commitment to work with the other stakeholders to drive positive change in an industry upon which we all rely,” said Rebecca Burton, Deputy Director, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance.

IRMA is a system in three parts. It is a voluntary, global mining standard describing best practices to protect people and the environment, an assurance process to independently and transparently measure mines against that standard, and an organization that works to build value for all stakeholders involved in and impacted by mining. IRMA is unique in that its governance provides civil society and workers equal power to the mining industry and other corporate actors. This unique model contributes to its credibility, which in turn provides a range of benefits for mines assessed in the system.

Investment managers have a unique role in IRMA’s membership, as they can directly encourage mining companies to be assessed and also recommend consumer-facing brands in their portfolios to encourage their suppliers to engage.

About Stewart Investors

Founded in 1988, Stewart Investors is an active, long-only equity manager focused on sustainable investing. Based in Edinburgh, the firm also has offices in London, Frankfurt, Singapore, New York, Hong Kong, and Sydney. For more information, visit: www.stewartinvestors.com

About IRMA

IRMA is a nonprofit organization working to protect people and the environment directly affected by mining by creating financial value for industrial-scale mining operations independently assessed against IRMA’s best practice Standard for Responsible Mining. For more information, visit: responsiblemining.net

Media Inquiries

For Stewart Investors

EMEA
Bessie Stevens | MHP Group
[email protected]

U.S.
Margaret Kirch Cohen | Newton Park PR, LLC
+1 847 507 2229
[email protected]

For IRMA

Alan Septoff
+1 301 202 1445
[email protected]

Want to know more?

Important Information

This press release is intended for information only, aimed solely at the media and should not be further distributed to individual and/or corporate investors, and financial advisers and/or distributors. The information included within this document and any supplemental documentation provided should not be copied, reproduced or redistributed without the prior written consent of First Sentier Investments.

This document has been prepared for general informational purposes. It does not purport to be comprehensive or to give advice. This is not an offer document and does not constitute an offer or invitation or investment recommendation to distribute or purchase securities, shares, units or other interests or to enter into an investment agreement.

The information contained within this document has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable and accurate at the time of issue but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, or completeness of the information. 

In the United Kingdom, this document is issued by First Sentier Investors (UK) Funds Limited which is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (registration number 143359). Registered office: Finsbury Circus House, 15 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7EB, number 2294743. In the EEA, issued by First Sentier Investors (Ireland) Limited which is authorised and regulated in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland (registered number C182306. Registered office: 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland number 629188. Outside the UK and EEA, issued by First Sentier Investors International IM Limited which is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (registration number 122512). Registered office 23 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 1BB number SC079063.

In Hong Kong, this press release is issued by First Sentier Investors (Hong Kong) Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong. In Singapore, this press release is issued by First Sentier Investors (Singapore) whose company registration number is 196900420D. This press release has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

First Sentier Investors, FSSA Investment Managers, Stewart Investors, RQI Investors and Igneo Infrastructure Partners are the business names of First Sentier Investors (Hong Kong) Limited. First Sentier Investors (registration number 53236800B), FSSA Investment Managers (registration number 53314080C), Stewart Investors (registration number 53310114W), RQI Investors (registration number 53472532E) and Igneo Infrastructure Partners (registration number 53447928J) are the business divisions of First Sentier Investors (Singapore).