Environment
Our approach
Xstrata is committed to the highest standards of environmental management and performance. We limit the environmental impacts of our operations through the efficient use of natural resources and the reduction of input materials and waste, and through contributing to the conservation of biodiversity. We believe that superior environmental performance results in increased efficiency, lower risk and higher overall performance of our operations, and is critical in maintaining our licence to operate.
Group performance expectations for all our sites are clearly articulated through Xstrata's HSEC Policy, HSEC Management Standards and Assurance Programme. Environmental risks are continually evaluated and managed at each stage of our operations' lives, from exploration to closure or disposal and are assessed and embedded within the Group's comprehensive risk management programme and incorporated into business strategy, management plans and budgets.
Our HSEC framework is fully aligned with ISO 14001, the International Council on Mining and Metals' (ICMM) principles of sustainable development, and the Minerals Council of Australia's Enduring Value programme. A document mapping Xstrata's HSEC Management Standards to the ICMM principles, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and AS/NZS 4801 international health, safety and environment standards is available from the Sustainability Policies section of our website.
In line with the Group's policies and standards our commodity businesses have environmental strategies, frameworks, goals and targets in place. All sites have established environmental plans, management systems and procedures. Each site maintains an ‘aspects and impacts' register identifying key environmental risks and programmes are in place to manage these. ISO 14001 compliant environmental management systems for each site are reviewed and improved using feedback from the Xstrata HSEC Assurance Programme, specialist and legislative audits and other internal and external environmental performance benchmarking activities. Environmental awareness programmes are integrated into induction programmes for all new employees and contractors and ongoing environmental awareness campaigns promote awareness of personal environmental accountabilities and responsibilities.
Environmental incidents and their remedial actions are reported to the Group Executive on a monthly basis. All Category 3 (significant), or above, environmental incidents are reviewed by the Board HSEC Committee every quarter.
Elmien Rainbird-Webb, environmental officer, and Colin Mulligan, mine manager ATCOM, inspecting a rehabilitation site
ISO 14001 compliance and certification
Xstrata does not mandate third party ISO 14001 certification at its operations and does not use certification as an indicator of environmental performance. ISO 14001 does not state specific performance criteria and third party certification does not provide the level of assurance of environmental performance required by our Board and executive management team. To provide this assurance Xstrata has developed and implemented its own best practice HSEC Assurance Programme. This programme ensures sites maintain an EMS compliant with ISO 14001 and also measures the overall and standard by standard HSEC performance of an operation.
Xstrata's commodity businesses determine autonomously whether third party ISO 14001 certification provides commercial or other benefits, for example where stakeholder feedback has indicated that third party certification is important to a particular group, such as communities, regulators, customers or business partners. Thirteen of Xstrata's 64 sites and projects have obtained third party ISO 14001 certification. Two Xstrata Alloys operations – Rustenburg and Rhovan – have successfully converted certification to the ISO 14001:2004 standard.