TSM Audit & Verification Readiness

More than filling out protocols: prepare your TSM for assessment with consistency, evidence and real improvement. We support operations and corporate structures in reviewing self-assessments, verification readiness, evidence organization and improvement plans linked to TSM.

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What makes a TSM audit difficult in practice

In many organizations, the difficulty is not knowing the protocol exists. The difficulty lies in interpreting requirements consistently, gathering evidence that truly supports the answer, and separating what is consolidated practice from what is still intent or partially implemented routine.

When the self-assessment is not reviewed in depth, common problems go unnoticed: overstated answers, fragile evidence, governance gaps between corporate and site, unclear owners and improvement plans without real closure.

Data Riders operates precisely on these points: consistency, objectivity, traceability and the ability to act on findings.

Where companies typically get stuck

Generic self-assessments

Superficial language with little objective support that doesn't withstand a more rigorous technical review.

Disorganized evidence

Relevant records exist but are not classified by protocol, theme, location or owner.

Corporate vs. operations

Gaps between what corporate believes exists and what operations can effectively demonstrate in the field.

Plans without closure

Improvement plans not prioritized, lacking follow-up structure and clear closure criteria.

Lack of consistency

Difficulty in repeating the process with the same rigor across multiple operations and cycles.

How we support TSM audits and readiness

Our support can start before verification with critical review of self-assessments, protocol reading, evidence organization and alignment workshops. In other cases, it works as readiness, preparing the operation for a safer and more objective assessment.

When context requires it, we focus on multiple operations, comparability, consistency between sites and alignment between local and corporate structures.

Technical review

Self-assessments analyzed in depth, testing consistency between answer and evidence.

Evidence map

Organization by protocol, theme and responsible area — with end-to-end traceability.

Alignment workshops

Reducing divergent interpretations across areas, levels and sites of the organization.

Verification readiness

Gaps, priorities and closure roadmap before the formal assessment.

Improvement plan

Follow-up structure with owners, milestones and cadence.

Our approach

Data Riders' approach combines critical reading of the protocol, management-system thinking, mining experience and execution focus. This allows moving away from bureaucratic logic and building a process more useful for operations and leadership.

  • Objectivity in reading the protocols.
  • Methodological consistency between assessment, evidence and action plan.
  • Attention to the interface between people, processes, documentation and governance.
  • Bilingual support (PT/EN) when needed for documentation, interviews and reports.

Connection with GISTM and global standards

TSM and GISTM meet at several points but have different scopes, language and mechanisms. We help clients navigate these interfaces with clarity and reduce rework.

See GISTM page

Typical deliverables

Commented review

Annotated review of the self-assessment, protocol by protocol, with critical reading of answers.

Evidence map

By protocol, theme, location and owner, with indications of robustness and gaps.

Readiness report

Strengths, gaps and risks — with prioritized action recommendations.

Improvement plan

Priorities, owners, milestones and clear acceptance criteria.

Follow-up cadence

Monitoring cycle that consolidates evolution and reduces recurrence of issues.

Cross-site alignment

When applicable, harmonization of language, evidence and governance across operations.

When to engage Data Riders

For clients entering a new assessment cycle, needing to review older self-assessments with more rigor, aiming to harmonize approaches across sites, or wanting to turn TSM into a more living, less reactive management discipline.

Related cases and readings

TSM Protocol Assessment

Case study of TSM protocol assessment in a mining operation.

See case

Management System Integration

Integration of management systems in multi-operation context.

See case

GISTM Implementation

Implementation of the 77 GISTM requirements in mining operations.

See case

GISTM and TSM

Global standards for sustainable mining: understanding the differences.

Read article

ANM 95 and ANM 175

Regulatory changes and practical impacts on Brazilian mining.

Read article

Tailings is Water Management

GISTM Analysis: tailings management as water management.

Read article

Frequently asked questions

Is this page only about formal verification?

No. Data Riders supports readiness, self-assessment review, evidence structuring, cross-operation harmonization and improvement plans — not just the final verification moment.

Are TSM and GISTM the same?

No. They connect at several points but have different scopes, language and mechanisms. Data Riders understands both and helps clients navigate these interfaces with clarity.

Can you support multiple operations at once?

Yes. We work with comparability, methodological consistency and alignment between sites and corporate.

What is the main difference between good and poor TSM readiness?

Objectivity. Good readiness doesn't just gather documents; it tests the sustainability of answers, identifies weaknesses and creates real conditions for improvement.

Can the page cover water, people and communities?

Yes. TSM touches broad themes. Data Riders maintains this management view without losing focus on practical application.

Ready to prepare your operation for TSM?

Talk to our team about TSM audit, readiness and evidence organization.

Talk about TSM audit Request an initial assessment