Reducing our environmental impact

We strive to minimise any harmful effects from our operations on the environment. This involves using natural resources such as energy and water efficiently; reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and emissions to air, land and water; and protecting biodiversity.

Investing in protecting the environment

In 2010, we spent $36 million on improving our environmental performance. For example, we commissioned our first electrostatic precipitator at the Ekibastuz GRES-1 power plant, rehabilitated a used tailings dam, and installed battery emulsifiers for our captive power plant boilers.

Reducing emissions to air

As a major energy producer and user, we create significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Each year from 2006 to 2010, we have reduced emissions to levels below permitted limits.

We aim to reduce our GHG emissions further through energy efficiency measures and new technologies. For example, we are upgrading technology to reduce ash emissions from our power plants. Read more

Minimising water use and emissions

Our emissions to water are far below permitted levels. At the Ekibastuz power plant we reuse all our wastewater discharge and our copper operations also discharge wastewater of a quality that meets regulatory requirements in Kazakhstan. In 2010, we invested $2 million in a water-treatment system in our East Region. This will reduce traces of copper, cadmium and other metals by around 99%.

Reducing waste

We store waste rock and overburden from mining in dumps and often use it to backfill closed mines. Copper smelting produces tailings and slag, which we contain in special dams and dumps to prevent leaching into soil and water sources. We recycled 41% of our waste in 2010, and continue to seek further opportunities for reuse. We are investing $4.9 million in rehabilitating a fully used tailings dam at Zhezkazgan. This will prevent leaching and reduce dust emissions by 146 tonnes a year.