Assurance system

Ensuring robust performance data

To ensure the performance data we build around Bettercoal Producers is as robust and accurate as possible, we have developed a rigorous assurance system.

The backbone of our assurance system are the Lead Assessors - independent specialists trained in our Standard. They assess coal producers against the 144 provisions of our Standard and build the tailored Continual Improvement Plans (CIP) that each of the producers work through.

Throughout the four-year CIP cycle, assessors review performance evidence submitted by producers and report on the progress, verifying whether specific goals of the CIP have been met - in order to do this, on-site verification is sometime required.

After four years, the process beings again: producers are re-assessed, a new tailored CIP is put in place and regular evidence submissions and reviews start again.

More details about Bettercoal CIP framework and the performance data we collect are provided here.

The following visual summarizes the key steps of the Bettercoal Assurance Process.

 
 

  • [ 1 ] Commitment

    The coal mining company signs a Letter of Commitment to work towards the expectations of the Bettercoal Code and agrees to indicative costs.

    The Bettercoal Programme undertakes initial due diligence screening ahead of the letter being signed to ensure there are no ‘red flag’ issues and the producer will be able to onboard to the Bettercoal assessment process.

  • [ 2 ] Questionnaire and Assessment Planning

    Producers complete our detailed, information-gathering questionnaire. Using the responses from this, a ‘request for proposals’ is sent out to our pool of lead assessors. Proposals are assessed on technical and commercial requirements.

    A proposed Lead Assessor is appointed and collects information necessary to plan for the on-site assessment.

  • [ 3 ] On-site assessment and assessment report

    An on-site assessment is conducted, benchmarking operations against all 144 provisions of the Code.

    Information gathered both prior to assessment and during the on-site assessment is combined into one single report and is used to create a tailored, 4-year CIP, supporting the producer in meeting the expectations of all 144 provisions of the Code.

    Once the CIP has been agreed, the company now becomes a Bettercoal Producer.

  • [ 4 ] Continuous Improvement

    Once the CIP is in place, the producer regularly submits information to their lead assessor, to evidence the changes being implemented to meet the requirements set out in the CIP. Follow-up meetings are held and on-site visits may be required to verify specific changes.

    After four years, the producer is re-assessed and the CIP process starts again, with a new, tailored CIP created based on the new assessment findings.

Lead Assessors

 

The robustness of the Bettercoal assessment process relies on the quality and independence of our third-party assessors. The Bettercoal Programme approves lead assessors who are trained in our standard and are then responsible for verifying whether producers meet the requirements of our standard, the Bettercoal Code.

Approved Lead Assessors

Trevor Harraway, Endiligence

Lucinda Kuys, Independent

Julija Menise, TDi Sustainability

Soledad Mills, TDi Sustainability

Dana Strength, Strength Geologic and Environmental Consulting

Carlos Andres Villalobos Torres, CVT Risk Management Consulting Services

Become a Lead Assessor

 

The Bettercoal Programme welcomes applications from qualified professionals to become Bettercoal Lead Assessors. Lead Assessors conduct site assessments, review Continuous Improvement Plan evidence submissions, and verify when corrective actions have been sufficiently implemented to meet the requirements of the Bettercoal standard, the Bettercoal Code.

If you are interested in becoming a Bettercoal Lead Assessor, the following three documents outline the application requirements and related processes.

The Application Form must be completed by all candidates wishing to apply. The Lead Assessor Approval Process and Criteria document sets out the eligibility requirements and provides detailed guidance on the assessment and selection process. The Lead Assessor Allocation Procedures explain how approved Lead Assessors are assigned to specific producer assessments.

All three documents are available in our Resource Library.

ASSESSMENT MANUAL

The Bettercoal Assessment Manual provides instruction and guidance on the overall assessment process, including how approved assessors conduct a desktop review and site assessment of producers, and how they verify improvement plans.

You can download the Assessment Manual in our Resource Library.