Elizabeth Freele

Elizabeth is a dynamic mining sustainability strategist and social performance leader with over 15 years’ global experience driving responsible mining practices. She began her mining career in site-based community relations roles with junior explorers in Africa, progressing to lead corporate sustainability and social performance at both junior and major mining companies, including Roxgold and Teck Resources, before founding Sympact and the Responsible Mining Academy. Elizabeth’s core expertise is anchored in mining, reinforced by experiences across venture capital, renewable energy, agtech, circular economy and cleantech. She specialises in translating ESG and social performance requirements into tangible business value, empowering mining teams to deliver resilient, future-ready strategies that address reputational, legal, community and operational risks. Elizabeth leverages deep expertise in social management frameworks, risk analysis and stakeholder engagement to craft fit-for-purpose solutions that are both practical and commercially sound. Her approach ensures mining teams can cut through jargon, apply leading tools, prepare for emerging risks and integrate accountability at every step of the ESG journey in the mining lifecycle. Elizabeth holds an MBA from IE Business School and a BA in Political Science and Global Development from Western University, with additional certificates in Sustainable Business Strategy (Harvard), Designing the Future of Work (UNSW), Dialogue for Community Engagement (Centre for Social Response), and Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples. She is GRI certified, a TSM/CopperMark Verification Service Provider, and contributes regularly to industry conferences, thought leadership and media on mining social performance and ESG.