Mineração Rio do Norte and ASI: Driving Responsible Bauxite Mining in the Amazon
Wvagno Ferreira da Silva, General Manager Performance and Risk Management at Mineração Rio do Norte – MRN, discusses their sustainability outcomes under the ASI Performance Standard.
8 December 2025
What does ASI membership mean for MRN? Why is ASI important to MRN?
Joining ASI in 2020 marked a strategic milestone in consolidating MRN’s commitment to the highest global sustainability standards. The Certification process provided an opportunity for us to take a step back, reflect on our practices, and clarify our approach. It helped us identify gaps and address them through a more formal structure, moving beyond our historically informal processes. We have since evolved to meet the Performance Standard and Chain of Custody requirements, receiving Provisional Certification in 2022 and Full Certification in 2023, respectively.
ASI Certification adds value to our bauxite, expands our access to highly demanding markets, and strengthens our performance and credibility with customers, shareholders and stakeholders through robust ESG policies and practices aligned with transparency, ethics and socio-environmental responsibility in the Amazon region.
What improvements or changes has MRN implemented to align with and meet ASI standards?
To meet the Performance Standard and Chain of Custody requirements, MRN implemented a series of structural, operational, and cultural enhancements. We integrated the ASI requirements into our Integrated Management System (SIG), established ESG targets, and conducted regular internal and external audits to monitor progress while continuously strengthening our ESG risk management to address social, environmental, and governance risks. We designated the General Manager of Strategic Management, Performance, and Risk as the ASI Compliance Representative, ensuring effective governance, communication, and integration across and within our operations.
Compliance practices were reinforced through the incorporation of ISO 37001 and ISO 37301 certifications, while environmental management initiatives were expanded to include land rehabilitation, emissions control, and water management.
In parallel, we advanced our social and diversity programs, developed human rights due diligence mechanisms, and enhanced community engagement processes. We also implemented targeted action plans to address our audit recommendations, including those arising from the ASI-witnessed audits.
We strengthened our community communication and engagement efforts by introducing information boards in town, hosting regular community meetings and updates, and supporting initiatives focused on women’s health and training.
Traceability systems and mass-balance controls were implemented for certified bauxite, covering the entire process from extraction to shipment, alongside the standardisation of planning, stock, and commercial processes for ASI-certified bauxite.
What impacts have been observed as a result?
Our actions delivered tangible progress across the environmental, social and governance dimensions of sustainability, reflecting a deeper integration of responsible practices into the core of our business. Governance structures were reinforced through the integration of compliance, anti-corruption, and human rights systems, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency.
On the environmental front, enhanced controls over emissions, water management, biodiversity, and land rehabilitation contributed to more resilient and sustainable operations. The establishment of climate goals, with a strong focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, underscored our long-term commitment to addressing climate change and aligning with global sustainability objectives.
Socially, we made meaningful progress in advancing inclusion and diversity, driven by initiatives such as “MRN Pra Todos,” which promote equal opportunities and a more inclusive workplace culture. Our approach to human rights was strengthened through the implementation of due-diligence and remediation mechanisms, ensuring that potential risks are identified and addressed proactively. The expansion of the Borealis system further enhanced our capacity for social management and grievance mechanism management, creating more open, transparent and responsive channels of communication with communities and other stakeholders.
Transparency remained a central pillar of our progress, supported by periodic reporting, thematic digital platforms, and the “Por Dentro da MRN” bulletin, which collectively improved access to ESG information for all stakeholders. Additionally, the achievement of full traceability for certified bauxite not only enhanced the credibility and value of our operations but also opened access to premium markets.
Together, these results demonstrate our ongoing commitment to embedding sustainability into every aspect of our operations—driving positive environmental, social, and governance outcomes while contributing to long-term shared value creation. We however recognise, that this remains an ongoing journey of continuous improvement.
How does MRN plan to enhance its achievements? What is the outlook?
MRN remains committed to continuously strengthening its management systems, advancing ESG maturity, and ensuring long-term competitiveness.
Key priority areas include:
- Ongoing updates to the Integrated Management System (SIG), incorporating ASI evolutions and international references such as IFC, GRI, GISTM, and other leading standards.
- Digitalisation and enhanced process traceability, including improvements in mass-balance control and certification systems.
- Preparation for future ASI standard updates, with increased emphasis on climate, human rights, and transparency.
- Integration of ASI commitments into the West Zone Program (PZO), ensuring operational and social viability for the next 15 years, job creation, and decarbonisation.
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