our social performance

Targets are set at a Commodity Business level and, in some cases, at site level. Performance against the 2004 targets is found below together with targets for 2005.

Complaints

In 2004, Xstrata responded to 490 complaints from stakeholders who live and work in and around our operations. The chart below summarises the number and type of the complaints recorded by the Commodity Businesses.

In July 2004 Xstrata assumed management control of the chrome assets of Merafe Resources, as a result of the Pooling and Sharing Venture increasing the number of sites in their division.

The major issues raised by Xstrata Alloys stakeholders were around air quality. We have short-term and long-term management action plans in place to deal with and to improve our air quality performance at Wonderkop smelter.

At Xstrata Coal, we received 294 complaints, 163 of which related to general noise at Mount Owen. In December 2004, Mount Owen was granted approval to extend the mine following a lengthy approval process which involved a Commission of Inquiry. Since the granting of this approval, the number of complaints at Mount Owen has decreased significantly.

Sulphur dioxide emissions in the city of Mount Isa remain the major source of complaints for Xstrata's north Queensland operations. The Mount Isa operations received 112 fume-related complaints, a 21 per decrease compared with 2003 statistics.