Environment

We consider minimising water consumption to be a core commitment and achieve this by improving efficiencies and re-use.

We measure water inputs and outputs in accordance with the Water Accounting Framework (WAF) for the Minerals Industry (Minerals Council of Australia, 2014). Ongoing initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce losses are reflected in improved water reuse percentages.

We carefully manage waste generated as part of our operations through our commitment to sustainable operations.

Our operations generate waste in a number of ways which are carefully managed as part of our commitment to sustainable operations.

• Hazardous wastes typically include used lubricants and process related chemicals, while non-hazardous wastes include organic matter, wood and plastics;
• Waste from mining activities include overburden, waste rock, tailings, slag and waste treatment solids. Waste rock is stored in waste rock dumps adjacent to pits or safely used on site. Processing operations generate tailings which are deposited in tailings storage facilities. Smelting activities generate slag which is stored in dedicated slag dumps. Waste treatment solids are generated during the treatment of water;
• Recycled waste includes waste oil and scrap metals.

All First Quantum’s Tailings Storage Facilities comply with internationally recognized standards and are carefully managed with operational controls, regular inspections and close monitoring to improve safety and reduce risks.

We manage 23 Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs), of which 10 are active and 13 are closed. We recognise potential TSF failure as one of our most significant risks. That’s why all our TSFs have therefore been designed in accordance with the guidelines of the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD), the guidelines of the International Council on Metals and Mining (ICMM) and the Canada Dam Association (CDA).