PDCA Cycle
Through closed-loop management, we solve various environmental problems in the loop, while elevating our goals. In addition, we take lessons from past environmental incidents and continuously improve our environmental risk management system for any unexpected emergencies. With the "Emergency Plan for Environmental Emergencies" as the guideline, we developed various operating standards to ensure that the Company can effectively prevent and respond to various environmental emergencies in a timely manner. We organise at least one environmental emergency drill every year to test the effectiveness of the emergency plan, the completeness of emergency preparations, the adaptability of emergency response capabilities and the coordination of emergency personnel.
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Plan：
We have established an environmental target management system covering all employees, including company executives, as well as contractors and construction parties. Based on the overall targets, we developed corresponding action plans and funding plans to ensure the feasibility of the targets. Under the medium- and long-term goals, we will also develop annual short-term environmental protection and ecological goals, and decompose the goals and responsibilities to each subsidiary, department, and position for specific implementation at different levels.
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Do
To maintain the efficient operation of the EMS, we have established an organisational system that is interconnected vertically. Under the leadership of the Production Safety Committee, the Environment and Ecology Department is responsible for managing environmental issues on a full-time basis. We set up a daily environmental protection and ecological management organisation in every subsidiary and each factory or section has its own full-time or parttime environmental management personnel to integrate environmental management concepts into specific business processes and decision-making processes. In addition, we have established an information management platform to standardise and digitise various system documents, archives and processes.
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Check:
We conduct regular internal environmental compliance inspections of each subsidiary based on policies and standards including the “Regulations on Environmental Protection and Ecological Inspection and Management” and the “Basic Standards for Environmental Order Management”. We also regularly entrust authoritative third-party institutions to conduct inspections of mines and smelters to help subsidiaries identify and respond to potential environmental risks in a timely manner. In addition, each subsidiary also regularly organises internal environmental audits and rectifications to ensure process compliance.
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Act：
We establish a list of non-compliant items in environmental activities, require the development of rectification plans, and complete them within a specific time limit. We also regularly track the completion of corrective measures, to continuously improve environmental performance.
Lifecycle Environmental Management
We adhere to the principle of Environmental Protection Embedded in the Entire Mining Lifecycle and strive to achieve international best practices. From mine acquisitions to closures, we carry out environmental protection and ecological management of mines throughout the mining life cycle. This approach ensures continuity and consistency in our long-term management. We consider the green mining standards and the ultimate blueprint goal from the mine's inception, and we restore the environment while mining, maintaining a pleasant ecological environment throughout the entire mining lifecycle. We also reduce the post-mining lifecycle maintenance costs, creating a solid foundation for the local environment and livelihood after mine closure.
Zijin Mining's Lifecycle Environmental Management
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Conduct due diligence on mines and understand basic situation:
• Site environmental investigation
• Geological exploration
• Ecological damage caused by historical operating activities
• Operational status of environmental protection facilities
• Identification of actual and potential ecological and environmental risks
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Conduct environmental impact assessments:
• Investigate the water, soil, vegetation cover, geological and landscape characteristics where the mine is located
• Predict and evaluate the geological environment impacts and damages, potential geological disasters and environmental pollution during project development
• Propose measures for mine geological environment protection and ecological management
• Consider ecological restoration during operation and after mine closure
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Adhere to the principle of Risk Prevention First with a Balanced Combination of Prevention and Control guided by risk management:
• Strictly control pollutants, including wastewater, exhaust gas, solid waste and noise
• Progress ecological protection and restoration in a planned way to maintain a stable ecological environment
• Encourage subsidiaries to purchase environmental pollution liability insurance to reduce pollution risks.
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Adopt a responsible mine closure management plan:
• Emphasise public health and safety, environmental and social impacts, and sustainable economic development after mine closure
• Actively respond to the demands of stakeholders and jointly discuss the best mine closure management method
• Develop a responsible mine closure plan and funding plan, and take credible actions to leave a green and sustainable legacy for local communities after mine closure
