3.19.2007 - 10:30am ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, NY - March 19, 2007 - Innovest Strategic Value Advisors has released updated Intangible Value Assessments for the 58 companies in the metal and mining sector.

According to Doug Morrow, Senior Analyst for the sector, major themes this year include carbon risk management, skills shortage and industry consolidation. "On the carbon front, we like Alcan (AAA overall). We find that best practice in the mining sector vis-à-vis carbon risk management continues to be 1) use of carbon shadow pricing in project planning and development, 2) board-level oversight of corporate carbon performance and 3) strategic consideration of upside opportunities linked to emissions trading, CDM investments and alternative energy infrastructure."

"While many of the companies' Intangible Value Assessments have remained consistent, we note that Xstrata upgrade from BBB to AA as a result of the company's improved ESG disclosure, expanded apprenticeship programs and sector-best HIV/AIDS strategy."


Downloadable reports for companies in the sector and more are available for purchase through Innovest's partner www.csrwire.com/reports/independent.

Some of the areas of analysis for Innovest's IVA ratings include:

• Environmental Strategy and management
  
• Regulatory/Stakeholder relations
  
• Health and Safety
  
• Carbon Risk Mitigation
  
• Labor Relations
  
• Product Safety
  
• Workplace issues
  
• Supply Chain
  
• Human Rights

For more information please contact: