Horizonte Minerals plc has published its 2021 sustainability report prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards ‘Core’ option for its nickel operations in Brazil.
SAFETY
The report is the company’s third and covers issues such as environment, safety, health and communities.
Horizonte recorded no lives lost to Covid-19 or from injuries due to management practices, fatality prevention standards and other critical risk control.
The company also conducted an integrated management system for environment, safety, health and communities’ management.
WORKFORCE
A total of 97% of the company’s workforce in Brazil are Brazilian nationals, 19% of which come from Pará State and 12% from local host communities.
“Further supporting our objectives, we launched programmes in early 2022 to strengthen local community capacity to increase participation in direct and indirect economic activities associated with Araguaia,” said Horizonte.
“Gender diversity remained higher than mining industry norms, with 30% of our workforce in Brazil and 38% of our United Kingdom workforce identifying as female.”
SUPPLIERS
Brazilian companies supplied more than 80% of procurement value and 11% from Pará State.
Almost BRL38 million [£6m] of economic value was distributed during the year.
CONFIDENCE
Chief executive Jeremy Martin said that while nickel was a critical metal in the clean energy transition, production came with environmental and social impacts.
“To balance these, in 2021 we commenced technical studies and programmes that will help us to design controls so that wherever possible, we manage these risks whilst enhancing the outcomes of the many benefits that our operations will bring.
“Sound sustainability performance and transparent disclosure are key to success and must be pursued to achieve our goals.
“As we advance the construction of Araguaia our systems for governance and reporting will also evolve, as key tools for delivering confidence and building strong and respectful relationships with our stakeholders.
“Our comprehensive approach to sustainability has been an instrumental component of our success in securing project financing from a suite of leading international banks and investors.”
Horizonte’s 2021 sustainability report incorporates preparatory information to enable the company to report from 2022 against the United Nations Global Compact, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Metals and Mining Standards, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and Mining Local Procurement and Reporting Mechanism.