As already noted in this news section, Polyus Gold has become the first Russian company to join the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). This demonstrates the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable development in the mining and metals industry as well as providing an opportunity to interact with all the other member mining companies and improve best practices.
Polyus Gold’s preparations for joining the ICMM began in 2011. As part of this work, Polyus Gold engaged independent consultants to audit its HSE and Social Engagement policies and to develop a framework for its interaction with all stakeholders and for the sustainable development of local communities at its Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Yakutia and Magadan operations. As a result, the company developed and implemented new sustainable development policies covering health, safety and environment; human rights; and stakeholder engagement policies.
As part of its commitment to these policies, the company has, since 2012, published an independently audited annual sustainable development report in compliance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) requirements. The Sustainability Report for 2014 was prepared in accordance with the GRI G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, which were introduced in May 2013.
The ICMM compliance program was formulated and implemented by the Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee of the PGIL Board of Directors.
Polyus Gold has committed to follow the 10 Key Principles of the ICMM which are:
1.Implement and maintain ethical business practices and sound systems of corporate governance.
2.Integrate sustainable development considerations within the corporate decision-making process.
3.Uphold fundamental human rights and respect cultures, customs and values in dealings with employees and others who are affected by the Company’s activities.
4.Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science.
5.Seek continual improvement of PGIL’s health and safety performance.
6.Seek continual improvement of PGIL’s environmental performance.
7.Contribute to conservation of biodiversity and integrated approaches to land use planning.
8.Facilitate and encourage responsible product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of PGIL’s products.
9.Contribute to the social, economic and institutional development of the communities in which the Company operates.
10.Implement effective and transparent engagement, communication and independently verified reporting arrangements with all PGIL’s stakeholders.