101-2.2, 101-2.5, 103-1, 103-2, 103-3
Our Sustainable Development Policy holds that preventive care of the environment is fundamental for achieving the target of zero significant environmental impacts. For this reason, our environmental management system involves an up-to-date inventory of the key environmental aspects on the basis of which we define, acquire and efficiently operate, subject to continuous improvement, the material, human and data resources needed to prevent possible related environmental impacts.
OUR ACTIONS TO AVOID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Compliance
Abiding by all environmental regulations, even voluntary rules that add value to the organiza-tion, exceeding the regulatory minimum.
Water
Minimizing consumption of primary-use water and wastewater discharge, complying with permissible limits.
Biodiversity
Avoiding damage to flora and fauna, opera-ting in harmony with nature.
Climate change
Reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and compounds.
Waste
Reducing generation, handling and disposing of it properly.
Environmental incidents
Preventing environmental damage and being prepared to address any emergencies they may cause.
Tailings dams
Guaranteeing their safe operation.
Reforestation surroundings at Capela unit
71%
of water used in our operations was treated wastewater and recirculated water.
ENVIRONMENTAL
COMPLIANCE
Presa Calero near Bismark unit
Environmental compliance
307-1, 101-2.2, 101-2.5, 103-1, 103-2, 103-3
Regulatory compliance is the bedrock of our environmental strategy and key to our sense of social responsibility. To comply with environmental laws and standards, both internal and external, the Corporate Environmental Department conducts regular audits at least once a year. We have a proprietary computer program called the Regulatory Compliance System, which is used to verify compliance with the requirements applicable to every mining exploration project, mine, metallurgical or chemical plant or service sector of the company. If any non-compliance is found, remedial actions are scheduled, carried out and checked for effectiveness.
In addition to the laws and regulations that apply to all economic activities, the mining-metallurgy industry is subject to a specific set of environmental laws.
There are a number of laws and regulations to protect the environment, which apply to all economic activities and therefore to the mining-metallurgical industry:
Under these laws, all sources of environmental damage must have a license to operate, an annual operating certificate, an environmental impact authorization, a change in woodland use authorization and a deposit with the Mexican Forestry Fund. They must also comply with applicable official Mexican standards
Authorization for changes in woodland use is only granted after justification through a technical study, proving that construction and operation of the industrial facilities will not compromise biodiversity, cause soil erosion, damage water quality or reduce water capture, and that the alternative uses of the land proposed will be more productive over the long term.
In addition to the laws and regulations that apply to all economic activities, the mining-metallurgy industry is subject to a specific set of environmental laws. These were developed by a task force made up of representatives from the government, private enterprise and academe, at the suggestion of the Mexican Mining Chamber and organized by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources:
Panoramic view, Tizapa unit
12
of our operations had current certification with ISO 14001 standard during the year..
The National Water Commission administers the process for obtaining permits to build tailings dams, which guarantees their safe operation. These laws, regulations, authorizations, and standards, along with the tailings dam process, impose limits and conditions to avoid significant impacts by mining and metals on the environment. In fact, our industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the country, and it is strictly limited in the way it can do business, ensuring the least impact on the environment with the greatest benefit for society.
Additionally, we comply with ISO 14001 standard, under which 12 of our operations had current certification during the year. We are also enrolled in the Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Industry Program. As a result, three of our operations have Clean Industry certification, and another six have completed the certification or recertification process and have the favorable opinion of the examiner, but are waiting for the corresponding certificate to be issued.
| Business unit | Expires |
|---|---|
| Minera Tizapa, S.A. de C.V. |
01/22 |
| Minera Bismark, S.A. de C.V. |
02/22 |
| Metalúrgica Met-Mex Peñoles, S.A. de C.V. (Bermejillo unit) |
08/22 |
| Business unit | Expires |
|---|---|
| Minera Roble, S.A. de C.V. |
04/20 |
| Metalúrgica Met-Mex Peñoles, S.A. de C.V. (Ramos Arizpe unit) |
05/18 |
| Metalúrgica Met-Mex Peñoles (Planta Electrolítica de Zinc, S.A. de C.V.) |
08/19 |
| Metalúrgica Met-Mex Peñoles, S.A. de C.V. (Lead-silver Smelter) |
08/19 |
| Metalúrgica Met-Mex Peñoles, S.A. de C.V. (Lead-silver Refinery) |
08/19 |
| Business unit | Expires |
|---|---|
| Exploration Mexico |
06/06/2023 |
| Exploration Peru |
12/11/2023 |
| Industrias Magnelec |
9/4/2022 |
| Fertirey |
9/14/2021 |
| Aleazin |
9/14/2021 |
| Met-Mex-Smelter |
9/14/2021 |
| Met-Mex-Refinery |
9/14/2021 |
| Met-Mex-Zinc |
9/14/2021 |
| Bermejillo |
9/14/2021 |
| Madero |
4/23/2023 |
| Sabinas |
3/26/2021 |
| Tizapa |
2/21/2021 |
In this 2020 Report we present the sustainability performance of the operations of Peñoles and the generation of shared value with the groups of interest.
