ZIA publishes fourth annual ESG benchmarking report

November 2024

The Zircon Industry Association (ZIA) has released its fourth Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Benchmarking Summary Report, highlighting noteworthy progress within the industry. Drawing on six years of comprehensive data from members, the report tracks advancements across 20 key ESG performance indicators, providing valuable insights into industry-wide trends and progress.

Key findings from the 2018–2023 dataset include:

• Over 150 million hours worked with zero fatalities, underscoring the industry’s commitment to safety.
• Increased land rehabilitation efforts, reflecting improved environmental stewardship.
• A steady decline in the Environmental Incidents Frequency Rate (EIFR), signalling better environmental management practices.
• Growth in renewable energy consumption, demonstrating a shift towards sustainable energy sources.
• Reduction in the Near Miss Frequency Rate (NMFR), further enhancing workplace safety.
• An increasing percentage of female employees, with notable growth in representation at board levels.
• More sites achieving ISO 14001, EMAS, or EMS certifications, showcasing industry compliance with global management standards.

Dr Keven Harlow, Executive Director of ZIA, emphasized the significance of the findings:

“Increased participation in our annual ESG reporting initiative has allowed us to identify meaningful ESG trends across our membership. The continuous improvement in most of the 20 monitored KPIs underscores the growing importance of ESG considerations within the zircon sector.

“This initiative remains a credible, independent source of ESG data for the industry. Participating ZIA members gain invaluable insights through their full reports, enabling them to benchmark their performance against industry averages and drive further progress.”

By fostering transparency and accountability, ZIA continues to play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable practices across the zircon industry.

1. Download the 2024 ESG Benchmarking Summary Report here.
2. As a non-profit organisation, ZIA works on behalf of its members to develop and promote zircon, zirconia, and derivative products by advocating the benefits of their widespread application in today's world.
3. ZIA has a strict Code of Conduct and Antitrust policy which applies to all ZIA activities.

For further information, please contact:
Claire Caton / media@zircon-association.org