Supply chain disruptions can significantly impact mining operations and supplier actions can impact a mining company’s licence to operation – impacting reputation by association and potentially leading to operational and financial setbacks.
Following the Achilles Breakfast Briefing at PDAC in Toronto on 3 March 2025, Paul Stanley, Achilles CEO, discusses the company’s role in supporting the global mining sector and how Achilles is addressing the industry’s evolving needs.
State of the Industry and Achilles’ Role
Q: Supply chain due diligence is becoming increasingly important for mining companies worldwide. What gaps do you observe in current supplier validation practices, and how does Achilles address these challenges effectively?
Paul Stanley: Supply chain due diligence is a growing concern for mining companies globally. Several gaps are evident in current practices: the quality and accuracy of validation, the scope of assessments, the completeness of risk coverage, and the frequency of assessments.
At Achilles, we address these challenges by tailoring our solutions to each company’s specific needs. We start by understanding the key issues and risks important to your organization and then build a customized program. For lower-risk suppliers, we offer a quick, no-touch risk screening using our own sophisticated algorithms, delivering results in less than a week. For higher-risk suppliers, we provide deeper assessments, including on-site audits.
Our goal is to act as an extension of our clients’ risk management and procurement functions, providing local resources and innovative ideas to help them make informed decisions. By offering proactive information, we enable procurement teams to focus on strategic tasks, enhancing efficiency across the supply chain.
Q: As CEO, what do you identify as the primary needs of the global mining sector when it comes to enhancing supply chain transparency, ESG compliance, and risk management?
Paul Stanley: Global mining companies are seeking a more streamlined approach to managing supply chain risks and improving transparency. Currently, there’s a lot of overlap in mining standards and industry requirements, creating unnecessary burdens. Information is often scattered and inconsistent, making reporting season time-consuming and inefficient.
By adopting a unified approach, we can enhance transparency and risk management, making it easier for companies to stay compliant and operate efficiently.
Q: What sets Achilles apart in the global mining sector, and what is your vision for the company’s role in shaping these industries?
Paul Stanley: Achilles has been a trusted partner in the mining and energy sectors for over three decades. Our unique value lies in our industry experience, comprehensive supply chain solutions, and global supplier assessment capabilities. We offer data validation, predictive analytics, supply chain mapping, and real-time monitoring, all tailored to our clients’ specific needs.
Our vision for the global mining and energy sectors includes enhancing supply chain transparency, promoting compliance and sustainability, driving innovation, and supporting local and global integration. We aim to help companies across the global supply chain to work more collaboratively, reducing administrative burdens and fueling economic growth.
ESG Compliance and Strategic Outlook
Q: With the growing demand for verifiable sustainability metrics, how does Achilles’ Statement of Assurance provide mining companies with a competitive advantage in securing financing and earning stakeholder trust?
Paul Stanley: Achilles’ Statement of Limited Assurance offers mining companies a significant advantage by independently verifying their sustainability metrics. This verification builds trust with stakeholders and can lead to better financing options, as lenders increasingly favour companies with strong ESG credentials.
Our process is both comprehensive and cost-effective, making it accessible to companies of all sizes. By backing up sustainability claims with verified data, companies can build stronger relationships with investors, customers, and communities.
Q: Given the potential impact of geopolitical shifts and tariffs on global mining supply chains, how is Achilles helping companies navigate these challenges?
Paul Stanley: Geopolitical shifts and potential tariffs can significantly impact supply chains. Achilles helps companies build resilience and diversity in their supply chains. During the Covid pandemic, we saw the importance of supply chain diversity in avoiding disruptions.
Our platform acts as a dynamic marketplace, connecting businesses with a diverse range of suppliers. This helps companies adapt swiftly to changing conditions and explore alternative suppliers or sources closer to home.
Future Outlook
Q: Looking ahead, what strategic milestones would define success for Achilles in supporting a safer, more sustainable global mining supply chain?
Paul Stanley: We aim to achieve several strategic milestones: enhancing supply chain visibility, expanding our supplier network, and developing innovative AI solutions. These initiatives will help companies worldwide make more informed decisions, promote sustainable practices, and navigate geopolitical challenges.
Our goal is to support the growth of the global mining sector by offering scalable, flexible solutions that adapt to the evolving demands of the industry.
Q: How do you plan to evolve Achilles solutions to meet the evolving demands of the global mining sector?
Paul Stanley: Our focus is always on delivering value to our clients as their needs evolve. We plan to scale our operations by leveraging technology and innovation, continuing to enhance our platform with increasingly advanced analytics and AI. Additionally, we will expand our network of verified suppliers and strengthen our local presence in key regions worldwide.
Our ultimate goal is to support the global mining sector’s growth by providing solutions that build resilience and meet sustainability goals. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with our clients.
