Last Updated: 30 May 2026

1. Introduction

The Comms Readiness Index ("CRI") is a communications benchmarking and research initiative administered by Aprio Group ("Aprio", "we", "our", or "us").

The purpose of the CRI is to assess communications readiness across the mining sector, identify trends, and produce aggregated industry insights, benchmarks, and future research outputs.

This Privacy Notice explains what information we collect, how it is used, how it is stored, and the rights available to participants.

2. Who May Participate

The survey is intended for individuals working within, supporting, supplying, consulting to, or advising organisations operating in the mining sector.

By participating, you confirm that you are responding in a professional capacity and that your responses are based on your knowledge, experience, or responsibilities.

3. Information We Collect

Depending on the information you choose to provide, we may collect:

Personal Information

• First name

• Last name

• Email address

• Job role

• Seniority level

Organisation Information

• Organisation name

• Commodity focus

• Geographic location

• Operational characteristics

• Survey responses

Technical Information

Our survey and website providers may collect technical information such as:

• IP address

• Browser type

• Device information

• Submission timestamps

where required for security, analytics, or platform operation.

4. How We Use Information

We use information to:

• Administer and operate the Comms Readiness Index

• Produce industry benchmarks and reports

• Analyse sector trends

• Improve future surveys and methodologies

• Develop future readiness indices and benchmarking programmes

• Validate response quality

• Contact participants who voluntarily provide contact details

• Share findings, updates, and future research opportunities

5. Confidentiality and Reporting

Individual survey responses are treated as confidential.

Survey findings are analysed and reported in aggregated form.

Responses will not be publicly attributed to individual participants.

Company names may be collected for benchmarking, segmentation, quality assurance, and follow-up purposes. Organisations will not be publicly identified in published findings without prior consent.

6. Future Benchmarking and Research

Participants acknowledge that aggregated, anonymised, and de-identified survey data may be retained and used by Aprio Group for:

• Future benchmarking programmes

• Industry indices

• Research publications

• Trend analysis

• Methodology development

• Historical comparisons

Such use will not identify individual participants.

7. Optional Contact and Follow-Up

Providing an email address is optional.

Participants who choose to provide contact details may receive:

• Survey findings

• Benchmark summaries

• Invitations to industry briefings

• Opportunities to participate in future research

• Invitations to discuss findings with Aprio Group specialists

Participation in any follow-up activity is entirely voluntary and carries no obligation.

8. Data Sharing

We do not sell personal information.

Information may be shared with trusted service providers involved in operating the survey, storing data, or supporting analysis.

These providers are required to maintain appropriate security and confidentiality standards.

9. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organisational measures to safeguard information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

No internet-based system can guarantee absolute security.

10. Data Retention

Personal information will generally be retained for no longer than five (5) years unless:

• A longer retention period is required by law;

• The participant remains engaged in future benchmark initiatives; or

• The participant requests earlier deletion.

Aggregated, anonymised, and de-identified data may be retained indefinitely for research, benchmarking, historical analysis, and future index development.

11. Your Rights

Subject to applicable laws including GDPR, UK GDPR, and POPIA, you may request:

• Access to your personal information;

• Correction of inaccurate information;

• Deletion of personal information;

• Restriction of processing where applicable.

Requests may be submitted to:

digital@aprio.co.za

12. Changes to this Notice

Aprio Group may update this Privacy Notice periodically.

The latest version will always be available on the Comms Readiness Index website.