Respect for human rights is the moral foundation of our business activities. We advocate for individual freedom and fair working conditions and condemn all forms of discrimination. We conduct our business in strict compliance with global human rights covenants, principles, and frameworks, steadfastly opposing forced labor associated with our operations. We uphold and share our values worldwide. 

We adhere to internationally recognized human rights guidelines, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, and the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. 

The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for managing human rights risks, and the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Management Committee oversees the implementation of these efforts. All subsidiaries are equipped with vertically integrated bodies under the ESG Management Committee to monitor and manage compliance with human rights standards and carry out their respective human rights risk management tasks.

We integrate the respect and protection of human rights into our corporate management standards. Our Corporate Code of Conduct articulates the behavioral norms and fundamental principles we adopt in our dealings with various stakeholders, and it also represents the core values we seek in choosing business partners. This includes a clear commitment to respecting human rights, a firm stance against any human rights violations, prohibition of child labor and any form of forced or compulsory labor, and respect and protection of the basic rights of our employees. The Code applies to our direct subsidiaries and wholly owned and controlled companies and serves as an important standard for our project investments and supplier selection.

Our Supplier Code of Conduct requires all suppliers to agree and adhere to its terms as a prerequisite for establishing a business relationship with us. Violations of the Code can severely impact this relationship, potentially leading to its termination. We demand that our business partners prohibit the use of forced labor, all forms of modern slavery, and human trafficking, including bonded or involuntary prison labor. Additionally, we insist that employment agreements with their employees are voluntary and allow for termination by employees within a reasonable notice period.

Following the UNGPs and the Company’s human rights standards, we require all subsidiaries to develop protocols to identify and manage human rights risks, integrating these assessments into their overall impact or risk evaluations. The identification of human rights risks in our operations highlights artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) as our primary challenge. We also prioritize monitoring and addressing risks associated with child labor, forced labor, workplace harassment, and discrimination, especially in high-risk areas.

We require all project companies to strictly comply with the minimum working age laws and regulations of the country (region) in which they are located or of the ILO Convention No. 138, whichever is higher. To support, develop, and improve children protection systems, we require contractors, suppliers, and third-party recruitment agencies to reject the use of child labor, analyze the causes of inadvertently hiring child labor, and take timely remedies.

We oppose any form of forced labor across our business operations and prohibit it within our subsidiaries, joint ventures, equity investments, suppliers, contractors, and partners. We reject forced labor, labor trafficking, human trafficking, and all forms of modern slavery.

Our recruitment activities adhere to the principles of freedom, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). All employees are recruited through free market mechanisms and mutual selection and enter into employment contracts on a voluntary basis. They have the right to terminate their employment contracts at their discretion following the statutory notice period.

We emphasize democratic management, participation, and oversight by employees. They may freely join or leave trade unions, which negotiate and sign the “Employee Collective Labor Contract” and “Employee Wage Collective Agreement” with the company, safeguarding their legal rights and interests in employment, wages, benefits, rest and holidays, labor safety, occupational health, and social insurance. In the event of significant operational changes that might negatively impact employees, the company will notify employees in advance to minimize negative effects.

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward discrimination, bullying, intimidation, and harassment. We treat every employee fairly, regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, or cultural background, fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment where each employee is respected. We follow the “Workplace Sexual Harassment Prevention and Penalization Policy,” implementing education and training to spread legal knowledge, establishing mechanisms for preventing and penalizing sexual harassment, and promoting a zero-tolerance culture toward workplace sexual harassment to prevent and reduce such risks.

Following the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we adhere to the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in our community engagement, respecting Indigenous peoples' rights, interests, wishes, cultures, and natural resource-based lifestyles. (Refer to the “Community” section for detailed approaches and achievements in respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples.)

According to World Bank statistics, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) provides livelihoods for up to 100 million people worldwide, serving as a significant source of income for local residents. However, we recognize that informal ASM activities can pose serious safety and human rights risks to miners, communities, businesses, and our employees. These challenges require the collective efforts of corporations and society at large to address. We remain vigilant against illegal activities and human rights violations such as intrusion, theft, and assault while supporting the formalization of ASM activities to safeguard local livelihoods. We ensure that our supply chain does not involve products related to informal ASM activities and proactively collaborate with government agencies, industry associations, and local communities to jointly advance the formalization of artisanal mining, thus mitigating the potential safety, environmental, and human rights risks.