Last Friday, the ANU announced it would divest holdings in Sandfire, Iluka Resources, Independence Group, Newcrest Mining, Oil Search, Santos and Sirius Resources following a commissioned review by CAER into environmental, social and governance ratings.

Yesterday, ANU vice-chancellor Professor Ian Young AO said climate change was the most serious issue ever to face humanity and society needed to focus on moving to alternative sources of energy and the university’s investment strategy should be aligned with those goals.

Sandfire said its profile in the CAER review contained a series of false, misleading and damaging claims concerning its activities and policies on the environment, corporate governance and stakeholder management.

The profile falsely claimed Sandfire had involvement in nuclear power.

The company said it wasn’t consulted during the preparation of the profile and it was unclear how CAER formed its opinions but that much of the criticism appeared to be based on the fact that Sandfire was a mining company and was therefore deemed to be environmentally and socially damaging.

Sandfire labelled the CAER profile as “poorly researched, inaccurate, misleading and flawed in numerous areas” and said it was concerned it had not had the opportunity to engage with CAER nor ANU.

“CAER has devised its own unclear definitions and criteria of what it deems to be acceptable,” Sandfire managing director Karl Simich said.

“CAER has not ascertained the facts, resulting in a misleading profile on Sandfire, which would in turn appear to have led to ANU’s unfortunate public comments and actions.



“Sandfire looks forward to engaging with CAER and any other interested parties to explain the rigour and resources that Sandfire devotes to operating its business in a socially responsible and sustainable manner.”

The company said it had an impressive environmental record and had been recognised by government, industry bodies, indigenous groups and employees for its stakeholder engagement, health and safety, community involvement, indigenous relations and training.