Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative

The Copper Mark, ICMM, the Mining Association of Canada, and World Gold Council are working together to explore options to consolidate their individual responsible mining standards into a single global standard and multi-stakeholder oversight system.

Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative > News > Newsletter > Newsletter > Independent Chair appointed

Independent Chair appointed

Dear friends,

20 March 2026: We are pleased to announce that the Copper Mark has appointed Daniel Ortega-Pacheco as Director and Chair Designate. He will serve initially as a non-executive Director before taking the role of Chair of the Copper Mark’s evolved Board of Directors once it is established later this year.

Daniel is an experienced leader who has worked in a variety of complex international and multi-stakeholder governance settings, with work spanning climate, agriculture, natural resources, finance, and sustainability. He serves as Expert Panel Co-Chair with the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets and leads the Executive Secretariat of the Partnership for Agricultural Carbon. He holds a PhD in Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University.

Following the publication of the CMSI Governance Model on 8 September 2025, the Copper Mark began the process of evolving its governance structure accordingly. The Copper Mark’s evolved Board of Directors will be solely responsible for approving the final Consolidated Standard, Assurance Process, and Claims Policy. Once the CMSI process is completed, the evolved Copper Mark will take ownership of the consolidated mining Standard and manage its implementation.

Read the full announcement

“Minerals and metals are at the centre of many of the most important economic, social, and environmental issues facing the world today.”

“I am honoured to support the Copper Mark at an important moment in its evolution. As Chair, my role will be to build trust and maintain strong and independent governance of the organisation while fostering transparent, balanced, and consensus-based decision making amongst the diverse perspectives represented on the Board.”

Daniel Ortega-Pacheco, Director and Chair Designate, the Copper Mark

Best regards,
The CMSI Partners

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