Environment
Polymetal’s operations generate hazardous and non-hazardous waste, liquid effluent and air emissions, use significant volumes of water and displace significant quantities of soil. Whilst complying with all relevant national and regional environmental legislation, our environmental priorities are:
- pollution prevention;
- reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;
- efficient use of energy and natural resources; and
- effective management of waste.
These priorities are addressed through the adoption and effective use of technology, ongoing refinement of management processes, rational use of natural resources, reuse and recycling of waste, efficient use and conservation of energy, employee involvement in environmental management and prevention of accidents with an environmental impact.
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|
2011 |
2010 |
|---|
Air emissions
(total, tonnes) |
Stripping, mined waste storage and energy generation and use are the main sources of air emissions, mainly representing greenhouse gas. |
4981 |
4613 |
Air emissions
(per 10 Kt of ore produced) |
We continue to optimise energy usage at all plants. Production levels at existing mines and plants continued to grow, consequently, air emissions per tonne of |
4.7 |
6.2 |
Greenhouse gas emissions
(per 10 Kt of ore mined) |
Power and energy generation (boiler houses, diesel power plants) are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
More remote sites, operating in the areas, where electricity is generated using diesel gensets, were operating in 2011, therefore the greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of ore mined grew by 5%. |
2.0 |
1.9 |
Waste volume
(Kt) and type |
The total volume of waste from all operating subsidiaries is broken down as follows:
88% – mined waste;
11% – tailings from metal production; and
1% – other production and consumption waste.
The increase in 2011 reflects the addition of new processing facilities. |
65844 |
50478 |
Waste
(per tonne of ore produced) |
In 2011, we further optimised production at Dukat, Omolon and Varvara. This allowed us to reduce the volume of waste per tonne of ore produced between 2010 and 2011. |
6.0 |
6.8 |
Waste water discharge to surface waters
(tonnes) |
Waste water discharge to surface waters from all company processing sites, open-cut mines and mine dumps. |
5318 |
4592 |
Waste water
(per 10 Kt of ore mined) |
Increased and widespread use of close water circuits at all of our processing facilities has led to a reduction of waste water volumes per tonne of ore produced. |
4.8 |
6.1 |
| Environmental incidents and fines |
No environmental incidents, environmental fines or penalty notices, were issued in 2011 and 2010. |
0 |
0 |
Environmental expenditure
(US$ million) |
Expenditure on environmental management and capital construction of environmental protection facilities (excluding expenditure relating to compliance). |
5.6 |
3.0 |
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