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How purpose-built environmental compliance and risk management software can
transform the sector

In the face of rising regulatory, public and environmental pressures, effective environmental compliance and risk management are fast becoming an existential issue for mining, oil and gas organisations. 

In Australia, organisations face stricter requirements from carbon emissions targets under the Safeguard Mechanism, water resource protection laws, biodiversity regulations and a patchwork of local, state and national laws. Indigenous heritage protections now also carry stronger penalties for non-compliance. New Zealand companies are under similar pressure – if not from stricter regulations, then from intense and public scrutiny. Organisations in both countries risk hefty fines for land rehabilitation failures and water contamination. For example, in 2021, Broken Hill Mining company was fined 1.5 million for two breaches, which the company attributes to an error in compliance processes.

Reporting standards a challenge

Even without actual breaches, the extractive industries can easily run afoul of regulators simply by errors in reporting. In 2022, an Australian regulatory body found Peabody Energy had repeatedly under and over-reported emissions from a New South Wales coal mine. Added to the reputational damage was the immense cost of engaging external consultants to prepare its reports and implement a plan to improve its National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting. All facilities included in the report also had to be independently audited.

Stakeholder engagement

Regulators aren’t the only ones breathing down the necks of extractive companies. Local communities, indigenous groups, environmental activists and even political parties are quick to jump on any perceived wrongdoing. 

Rio Tinto’s destruction of the Juukan Gorge caves led to massive reputational damage and legal scrutiny. While not directly fined for the destruction, the company faced parliamentary inquiries, shareholder backlash and management restructuring. 

This highlights the critical importance of strict compliance with regulations and careful management of stakeholders to earn and maintain a social license to operate.

The critical role of technology in environmental compliance

With these pressures, the extractive industry needs far more robust methods of analysing and managing risk and environmental compliance than are offered by manual processes. General health and safety compliance software, which many companies rely on, lacks the functionality needed to handle sector-specific regulations, community engagement and environmental impact metrics. Meanwhile, the sheer volume of data can quickly overwhelm staff, resulting in missed deadlines, unmanaged conditions, poor stakeholder engagement and disrupted operations. 

By contrast, specialised environmental compliance and risk management software automates compliance tracking, reducing manual work and human error. It can more easily handle specific environmental metrics like water usage, emissions, biodiversity impact and waste management. This can help organisations identify and address environmental risks before they escalate, while more transparent reporting can significantly improve stakeholder relationships. 

CS-VUE in mining – Bathurst Resources 

With these pressures, the extractive industry needs far more robust methods of analysing and managing risk and environmental compliance than are offered by manual processes. General health and safety compliance software, which many companies rely on, lacks the functionality needed to handle sector-specific regulations, community engagement and environmental impact metrics. Meanwhile, the sheer volume of data can quickly overwhelm staff, resulting in missed deadlines, unmanaged conditions, poor stakeholder engagement and disrupted operations. 

By contrast, specialised environmental compliance and risk management software automates compliance tracking, reducing manual work and human error. It can more easily handle specific environmental metrics like water usage, emissions, biodiversity impact and waste management. This can help organisations identify and address environmental risks before they escalate, while more transparent reporting can significantly improve stakeholder relationships. 

CS-VUE – beyond the basics

CS-VUE compliance software goes one step further. Its features are designed to suit Australia and New Zealand’s complex environments and regulations for real-time monitoring and reporting data. It also comes with two valuable functions:

1. Integration with digital sensors

CS-VUE connects with digital sensors, enabling real-time data feeds on erosion and sediment, noise, seismic vibrations, dust, emissions, water usage, discharge and more. Customised to align with resource consents, legislation or internal policy documents, it can also alert managers of any breaches. 

“Our digital sensor integration capability sets us apart,” says Wayne Fisher, CSVUE General Manager. “Most organisations still track environmental data via a myriad of manual spreadsheets, whilst CS-VUE delivers real-time, automated environmental performance reporting on one platform.”

2. Secure stakeholder access

CS-VUE enables extractive companies to connect suppliers, partners, contractors and regulators to the system. The highly secure access allows direct communication and feedback loops to minimise disruption.

Technical lead for compliance at NZTA Virginia Comer says this has been critical for the smooth running of various projects. NZTA doesn’t just build roads but also manages quarries. CS-VUE allows controlled access to contractors, which “helps people do the work when they need.”

“It’s a two-way communication pathway between our contractors and internal staff,” says Virginia.

The organisation has also arranged access for local councils as part of the validation process for some projects.

“That’s really helped with stakeholder management,” says Virginia.

Take control, get visibility

As regulatory pressures and public scrutiny tighten, Australia and New Zealand’s extractive organisations face a crossroads. Those savvy enough to meet the challenge head-on will use industry-leading tools to increase their visibility and control while minimising the administrative burden. The rest, who maintain the status quo and hope for the best, will risk fines, legal consequences and potential catastrophic operational destruction. Indeed, for extractive businesses, environmental compliance and risk management are not just box-ticking exercises, but make-or-break functions. 

Underpinning this must be a purpose-built compliance platform like CS-VUE. This gives extractive organisations the specialised features to manage complex regulatory requirements efficiently and effectively. It gives leaders and those on-site both the big-picture data and drilled-down detail they need to improve consent management, green compliance and environmental performance reporting.

To see how CS-VUE could work for your extractive organisation, book a complimentary trial.

Software to enhance your organisation’s environmental compliance and risk management